tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29475808324295207952024-03-13T06:10:38.108-05:00Our Plain and Simple LifePlain Faith on a Simple Homestead full of kids and animals...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.comBlogger1358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-23845026242494366502018-04-03T11:41:00.005-05:002018-04-03T11:41:56.990-05:00It's a long story...isn't it always?<i><span style="color: red;">Edited: finally shared this draft that had been hiding in the blog queue...almost a full year after I wrote it :-(</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
The planner is still pretty full here. Not with as much "running around" as with just plain stuff...reminders of a few appointments coming up, changes to be made or reminders of those I've already made a month or two back, and lots of school work for myself as well as the kids. I'm trying to be more efficient. It's not exaclty working yet because planning tends to go against my grain, but I persist nonetheless.<br />
<br />
I had a short notice client visit scheduled (I'm hardly the only one who is busy day to day) so 3 days out I started stressing over how prepared I really was for it. I know the exercises, I know the labor tips, I know the Myles Circuit, etc. I have a birth bag packed and ready...what exactly I want or need for sure in there is still up in the air, but honestly, a Doula can get by with just showing up when needed. Our main resource is our mind, our heart, and our hands :-)<br />
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I started sorting thru some printouts I had here with good old fashioned basic information...typical labor progression, light and healthy snacks, some exercise photo sheets, and you know me...LOTS of other stuff...because I am pre-wired to be crazy and overwelming sometimes.<br />
<br />
Ok, it's most of the time.<br />
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This was how the day progressed... <br />
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<span data-offset-key="eadqa-0-0"><span data-text="true">I went in and got Liam at 7am. Nothing strange there, it happens every morning. I got back home and beat myself to death with the informational overload again...you know, so I could triple-double check everything and not forget something. I finished enough of the website that I was comfortable publishing the starting version (still very 'stock' filled and in need of personalization, but it's up nonetheless and I'll post the link below). Boom, it was already going on 10am and I HAD to hit the road. So, birth ball, peanut ball, binder of overload, birth bag stuff, purse and iPad in hand, off to the car I go. Ready to take on anything and everything prenatally birth related.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="85rr6-0-0"><span data-text="true">Then I started the van. The resulting sound was not what it should be. I flipped the key back off. Yep...the gold cat bolted out of the wheel area and took off across the yard. The kids ran after him and I popped my hood.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="85rr6-0-0"><span data-text="true">All winter long those cats outside haven't been near my car. Yesterday (and this morning and tomorrow morning...crazy southern weather) we awoke to a deep cold spell and a lot of wind. Apparently me going in to get Liam earlier made my warm engine the perfect spot for a napping cat. The cat btw, was fine, albeit a little smudged on his leg and totally freaked out. He was given a lot of love and extra dose of food and checked over well.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="85rr6-0-0"><span data-text="true">The van however, didn't fare so well.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-57565302335975435832018-04-03T11:38:00.002-05:002018-04-03T11:38:43.264-05:00I'm not even going to say it...It's been almost a <i>full year</i> since I wrote anything here.<br />
<br />
That's just flat out sorry. I should lose my blogger card. Heck, I probably already have with this lazy updating history I have.<br />
<br />
Well, a year in a nutshell highlights are in order I suppose:<br />
<br />
I am now a grandmother of THREE :-) Liam will be 3 years old in June, and now we add in Nova Delaney, born to Chris and Amber on November 1st...and Harper Kate, born to Johanna and Matthew on December 29th. We don't see Nova very often, but we have Liam and Harper here every week.<br />
<br />
Abbey is off doing her own thing in Michigan with her boyfriend now. She turned 18 the end of January and decided it was time to stretch her wings away from family. I'm not sure I've adjusted to that at all yet.<br />
<br />
KatiAnne is 15 and now living in Illinois with her grandmother and great grandmother so they have some help there with the day to day things. I's still adjusting to that change here, but they needed someone there daily to help out with the normal stuff. Mom can't handle the house and caregiver role for my 98 year old grandmother herself. It's not so much the big things that come up as the small, normal things. So, Kati was next in line so to speak and she'll just finish her homeschooling long distance so she can be a help there.<br />
<br />
Last summer I started setting up classes to become a midwife. I completed my labor doula certifiation and if I'd slow down long enough to put the last bit of work in, I would have my postpartum certification as well. I still have several courses within that program to complete as well, but for now, I have ventured off into midwifery studies and <i>I love it</i>! I am over halfway thru year one and have set up a good foundation for the next years of study. I have also been blessed to have found and started an apprenticeship with a local midwife and her practice. I am still in the observation phase of that, but I have already learned a good deal and can't wait to step into the further role of student and later, assistant.<br />
<br />
I have also completed my herbal studies with the Herbal Academy of New England. True, I have worked on that one for a long time, but it is finally completed and I am ready to move forward there as well. My focus is going to be on herbals directed toward the childbearing woman. I would love to schedule myself out perfectly and enroll in the Botanical Medicine for Women course with Aviva Romm in the next year or so. I've said that for a few years now though...still, it's a dream :-)<br />
<br />
What else? A year is long time in many aspects, yet seems like just yesterday some of these things happened. Dewey is still on the road working. He is over in South Carolina this year, until spring 2019. We have made a few trips over to visit since this job has been plagued by the continual rains this year. It's finally gaining some ground and hopefully that will mean he can make more trips home here to see us. Chris is working just over the line from Dewey, in Georgia. Matthew and Jennifer are also working with Dewey this year. Jen wanted to expand her horizons as it were and give feet to her experiences for writing (we are still waiting on the sequel to <i><b><a href="http://www.anysubject.com/blakefields-mansion-by-jen-smith-and-clive-west" target="_blank">Blakefield's Mansion</a> </b></i>to come out!!) so she started working with her dad so she could travel around more.<br />
<br />
Johanna is still going through nursing school. Her goal is pediatric surgery. She is doing most of her classes online this semester as she adjusts to being mom of 2 and working.<br />
<br />
We bought a new car for the first time in 13 years, LOL No more mega-sized 15 passenger van, we are now the owners of a Mitsubishi Outlander. Just big enough for the remaining family at home...I am down to just 3 here now...and the perfect car for my travelling for work and being on-call. The gas mileage is AWESOME...maybe not for those of you who already had normal cars, but coming from the 15 passenger v10, it totally has me awe-struck. I've made 2-3 trips back to Illinois every month since September and it's not even costing me $60 in gas to get there. That wouldn't even have wiggled the gas gauge in the van, LOL I am definitely enjoying the pocketbook benefits of the new ride!<br />
<br />
I'm sure I have missed several events of the past year, but these are some of the highlights that stick out in my mind. The year ahead will be filled with grandbaby hugs, kayak and canoe trips with the kids, visits to Dad and sight-seeing in western South Carolina, midwifery studies and workshops, visits up north, and I'm sure much more.<br />
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In addition to needing to keep this online presence a bit more updated, I need to put effort into the business presence online as well as an on-going project for school. It's so very much a work-in-progress, but if you're interested in taking a peek, here's the link...<br />
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<a href="https://www.handsnheartsbirth.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>Hands and Hearts Birth Services of North MS</b></i></a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-9530265021714260142017-03-14T10:48:00.000-05:002017-03-14T10:48:27.923-05:00As the calendar fills...Sounds like some crazy soap opera title, doesn't it?<br />
<br />
The planner here is filling in...vet trips to finish up, dental visits for everyone, schooling for the kids, planning some field trips, my own schooling between herbal classes, CPR/First certifying, doula certifications, a couple of clients to work with, a much-needed Doula retreat weekend coming up (and a detour coming home to visit with the menfolk at their job)...the calendar fills with colored notes and I get an anxious feeling. Not necessarily a bad one, but not always a comforting one.<br />
<br />
I must admit, I have my doubts as to if I truly want to do any of this some days. I miss our old days here. Simple Living isn't easy, and it's definitely busy, but it's family. I don't feel that when I'm away from home forging new roads and the like. I miss it. We aren't that Plain and Simple family that we once were. The dresses-only and head coverings are all but fully replaced with skirts and modest shirts now. Honestly, in this new direction of doula and such, I don't believe there would be any work for me dressed in my Plain clothes. I know from far too much past experience I would not see acceptance from the Amish and Mennonite community, and I certainly wouldn't find clients in the rest of local society dressed that way. For me, the dress change, the doula work...none of this works to make me a better 'fit' with my community. It actually appears to be isolating me more than I already was.<br />
<br />
And you know me, the second guessing starts creeping in with all of this and I wonder if it's worth any of the effort. Of course as soon as that happens I start seeing validation totally supporting those doubts in my mind.<br />
<br />
I recently shared online in a couple of groups that I was feeling a bit lost at connecting with any local doulas. Reading so many groups, I've seen what is apparently a culture of 'competition' among a lot of doulas. Sadly, it's quite a universal thread that runs among every area. There are some who are resistant to those coming in, some resistant to those in bordering areas where they themselves serve, some have already formed "associations" or co-ops and don't feel they need to extend a connection to anyone outside that. One of the biggest themes I've seen and had pointed out to me is that there are apparently some certifying organizations that outright shun anyone from a different certifying background. Dare to say you aren't charging a fee and you can almost hear the torches and pitchforks being gathered on some groups.<br />
<br />
What is wrong with these themes? It appears that doula services are considered quite boutique and exclusive in a lot of areas. Those who believe in charging the full fee acceptable in the area are often (no, of course not always...) quite vocal against those who are willing to charge less, or brazen enough to offer free services. It just as often runs the opposite with those offering free services being outspoken against those who refuse even a sliding scale approach.<br />
<br />
Doesn't every woman who wants a doula deserve a doula? Does it...<b><i>should it</i></b>...even matter if there are doulas offering free services and doulas charging the full amount in the same area?<br />
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Apparently it does matter to a lot of people. There have been downright heated and nasty arguments online over one sharing their website and being torn apart for not charging as much as others in the same area. Some will band together with their sliding scale or free services and attack those who are charging high end fees. I'm not talking adults sharing opinions, I'm talking outright ugly comments about the opposite opinion.<br />
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Yes, I posted something about having trouble making connections locally with the existing doula community. It's not that there's in-fighting here, I was just extending some 'feelers' and not getting a response. Apparently that got around and several have since messaged a hello, even suggested a new client to me. Of course I feel like the idiot cousin now.<br />
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And it fuels those second guessing moments.<br />
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Still, I'm hardly a shrinking violet type. If I make connections that would be great. I would love to have a relationship, share some networking, etc with fellow area birthworkers here. We have so many moms in need in this state, especially I would think, in my northern area. There is room for many more doulas.<br />
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That aside, I keep moving forwardAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-89166972330047694162017-01-14T19:38:00.000-06:002017-01-14T19:38:37.921-06:00A New Journey for 2017<br />
I am not a New Years Resolution kind of person.<br />
I know...probably a good thing since it's halfway thru January, right? <br />
<br />To me, there isn't much more to that whole scenario than flipping a calendar page. If you can resolve to begin :<b>insert</b><b> choice here:</b> as the new year starts, you can resolve to begin it <b><i>anytime</i></b>. The calendar doesn't make it or break it.<br />
<br />
That said, over the past many months I have been looking ahead to some things around here. I have dreams I'd like to pursue. Truly my entire adult life has been mom and wife. That is a huge calling and I wouldn't trade it for a thing. Still, the Proverbs 31 wife had other things in her life as well. Not things that were oppositional to her first calling of wife and motherhood, but things that connected her to her community, and in many ways, more deeply with her family.<br />
<br />
She had <i>vision</i> and when pursued, that vision worked <i>with</i> her Godly calling and not against it.<br />
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God doesn't expect a woman to sit idly by as a wife and mother alone. No, I haven't changed my long-held beliefs that a career is now somehow right for wives/mothers. I fully believe a mother belongs at home tending to the needs of her household and her family. Everything else takes a spot much farther down the list of priorities. <br />
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Our family dynamics have changed some as the children have grown older. I still have 4 at home full-time schooling. One will be finishing her school adventures back north with her sister, no doubt planning to pick up with the veterinary skills her sister has. This past year I have dug deeper into my herbal studies and felt I wanted to do more. I was looking at a few directions when something came to my attention. The minute it was in my head, I knew what I wanted to pursue.<br />
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<i><b>Doula</b></i> is a Greek word meaning <b><i>woman's servant</i>.</b> This may play out in several ways, but one traditional form has always been as a mother's pregnancy and child-birth mentor. A doula is often a trained, experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and practical support, encouragement, information and resources to the pregnant mother, the laboring mother, even the postpartum mother, as well as her family. She is not there to share medical advice, but can direct you to the resources and information you need to be able to make the most informed choices for yourself and your family's needs during pregnancy and in the weeks immediately following birth. Studies have shown that when a doula attends birth, labors are often shorter and have fewer complications or interventions, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more eaily.<br />
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I have always had a passion for pregnancy and child-birth. I mean, hello...10 pregnancies here :-) I have had great birth experiences, I have had upsetting birth experiences. I have had natural births, caesarean sections, medicated births. I have nit-picked my doctors to no end, and had many a labor & delivery nurse bite their tongue when dealing with my non-compliant self. I have interviewed OBs and dismissed those I could not find common ground with a birth plan we could both agree on.<br />
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I am not certain what services my local area have, but I know we have lower income, often left-behind mothers, even teen mothers, who go thru their pregnancy without any real information because they have no idea what to ask, what they should do or how to go about doing it, what their rights as women even are. Some, a great many I'd venture, have virtually no real support during pregnancy, let alone their labor or even postpartum time. Sure, they may have an aunt or mother who has had a baby or two, but often their experience was the same...no one really explaied to them what to expect and how to deal with everything that comes with pregnancy, delivery, and a new baby in the family.<br />
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I believe I can do that.<br />
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I believe it needs to be done. The medical community all too often leaves out information and education. Lack of time, a perceived lack of interest perhaps, lacking system protocols...any number of reasons. Do you know why you should boil the water for infant formula? Women are told just buy "nursery water" and use it. The <i>formula powder</i> is what requires the boiling water, not so much to sterilize your bottles but to sterilize your actual formula.<br />
<br />Don't even get me started on the need for breastfeeding support and the need for hospitals to stop overstepping boundaries by offering newborns pacifiers and bottles rather than helping to ensure the mother has every opportunity to breastfeed, with babies rooming-in, nursing support and teaching for the new mom.<br />
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And when the new mom goes home with her baby...what then? A postpartum doula is available in those first weeks, or even longer, to offer support and encouragement to the mother, to the family. Simple things like helping with infant care while mom recovers from the birth experience and regains her own strength, sharing in light household tasks to allow mom and family time to create bonds with their new addition, information and resource sharing so they know where to find the services they may need in this season of their lives. Perhaps just sharing a visit and conversation. <br />
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<i>You know there's a need. We've all been there at one time or another.</i><br />
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I have already started the process to get my qualifications and certifications in place as a labor and a postpartum doula, as well as lactation consultant and child birth educator. I would love to continue it even farther and get qualified as a midwife assistant as well. Perhaps one day. For now, I will start making a difference in just this one, small way.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-81654429807989263992016-10-18T14:11:00.001-05:002016-10-18T14:11:54.886-05:00Yes...it's been a while...again<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print; font-size: small;">Obviously my plan of keeping the
blog updated didn’t happen. Have I truly not shared here in almost 2 months???
Holy cow am I bad at this or what?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print; font-size: small;">Well then, some updates. If
you’re one who has followed me for any length of time, you clearly know that
even if I haven’t been around for a while, I don’t have anything super
spectacular to share. We just have one of those mundane,
<em>everyday-looks-like-the-next</em> sort of lifestyles here. I swear, we had a
lot more exciting adventures when we had the cow and a lot more goats. Now it’s
mostly dog rescues, and they just aren’t the exciting adventure types. Not that
I’m going to complain, LOL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print; font-size: small;">Makes me wonder how I have any
blog followers at all honestly. We are about as boring as one can
get.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print; font-size: small;">At any rate, here’s what I think
happened in the past month that I neglected to share here…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print; font-size: small;">We have been working on the
kitchen area again. We weren’t making any progress with it other than using it
for storage. It still needs some fine-tuning, but it’s finished enough I can
call it the KITCHEN now. The farmhouse sink is in, the wood countertops are in,
I’m still working on my wood cutting board tops for the work tables and electric
stove, but the cookstove is piped in and all is ready for winter so I count it
as done enough:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">the view from the new
dining area into the kitchen. I’m loving the big “window” and can’t wait to
decorate it for winter! I think it will be perfect for my Christmas village :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">the countertops are plain and
simple…2x6 boards, oiled and ready for the abuse of a country kitchen
:-) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">my sink…I love it, but I’m not yet convinced it will
last. I’m worried about chipping the fireglazed clay, </span><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">scraping it with the heavy pans when we wash dishes, etc.
I’ll adapt in time I’m sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">the woodstove is finally in place just
waiting on cool temps to fire it up. I really love the tin we did on the walls,
and I’m thinking about wooden ‘shutters’ to frame the windows, maybe using some
old barn boards for them. What do you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">We’ve done a lot of baking, put
together some of the bulk mixes we use the most, made granola for breakfasts,
and more. It was a very hot </span><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">and sticky summer so I was pretty excited to have
cooler temps and extremely low humidity move thru for a short time. I admit I
went a bit crazy with the baking and such then. I am so ready for winter and
cooler temps. I want to really COOK in my new kitchen space, not slap together
easier meals because of the heat. I’m ready for long simmering soups and beans,
daily fresh baked breads or rolls, noodle-making, holiday cookies and all that
good seasonal stuff.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80m2ZHjTk5w/WAZvduBkxAI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/FroGZ5iNPK4yT7iEZmom6XWKruRYigCXQCLcB/s1600/Liam%2Bgrinding%2Bflaxseed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80m2ZHjTk5w/WAZvduBkxAI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/FroGZ5iNPK4yT7iEZmom6XWKruRYigCXQCLcB/s320/Liam%2Bgrinding%2Bflaxseed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> Liam had a blast helping grind the
flaxseed for our granola</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqdtlMTAtps/WAZvfnXQ-yI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/Wn1jhiCgK1AGCLEEv23lxyzR8ltjH0mrwCLcB/s1600/Apple%2BJelly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqdtlMTAtps/WAZvfnXQ-yI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/Wn1jhiCgK1AGCLEEv23lxyzR8ltjH0mrwCLcB/s320/Apple%2BJelly.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">We grabbed a bushel of apples
and made a few pies, then suing the cores and the peels, we did several jars of
apply jelly for the pantry. Yum!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiV5UGcV5NE/WAZveQnf04I/AAAAAAAAG3U/nCY1o77fzzkH9F7Z7Of8AZ1Iw4HsWHwCgCLcB/s1600/bulk%2Brecipes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiV5UGcV5NE/WAZveQnf04I/AAAAAAAAG3U/nCY1o77fzzkH9F7Z7Of8AZ1Iw4HsWHwCgCLcB/s320/bulk%2Brecipes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">We use a lot of cream of mushroom and
cream of chicken soups so what’s better than having a big jar of bulk soup mix
ready to thicken and flavor our meals? We also stocked the pantry with
dehydrated goodies as I cleaned out the freezers. Jars of dehydrated mixed
veggies, broccoli, etc. all lined up and ready to add a handful here and there
to our soups and casseroles this season. The best resource I can share online is
this one, </span><a href="http://www.21stcenturysimpleliving.com/" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">21st Century Simple
Living</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">. No end to the ideas and
recipes you can get for filling your pantry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">I finally found my long lost cornbread
recipe. We like this one, but of course, I pulled it out of the binder at some
point, used it, and poof…never made it back to the binder. I shared it on my
Facebook wall, and now here, so that maybe if I (ok, <em>when…) </em>I misplace
it again, someone can remind me where it is, LOL</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQQUXbG5O9o/WAZvk8oNbyI/AAAAAAAAG3g/btYG0Qz-A0srnrY56ff5QBO9pS1v_JVOwCLcB/s1600/cast%2Biron%2Bseasoning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQQUXbG5O9o/WAZvk8oNbyI/AAAAAAAAG3g/btYG0Qz-A0srnrY56ff5QBO9pS1v_JVOwCLcB/s320/cast%2Biron%2Bseasoning.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">I pulled out all the poor, neglected
cast iron so I could start getting it cleaned up and back into shape. I have a
few favorites I use all the time, then I have a collection of pans in waiting.
Some of them are horribly seasoned and not fit for use. I need to find ways to
get them stripped down and start over with seasoning. Definitely a project on my
list.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zvq4rt4v08/WAZviKBcuhI/AAAAAAAAG3c/Vo-uEYXnZdwQj93bIaYnLUe3DcG0QXX9gCLcB/s1600/elderberry%2Bsyrup%2Bmaking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zvq4rt4v08/WAZviKBcuhI/AAAAAAAAG3c/Vo-uEYXnZdwQj93bIaYnLUe3DcG0QXX9gCLcB/s320/elderberry%2Bsyrup%2Bmaking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"></span></a> <span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">We’ve been getting our herbal
medicines restocked as well. I am way behind of getting the Fire Cider going for
the year, but I can always dip into it early if necessary, while it does its
thing :-) We did up the elderberries again as a glycerite, though I did one
small batch in brandy. We did Mimosa flowers earlier in the season and we’ve
collected a bunch of goldenrod. That’s what we have hanging in the large kitchen
“window” photo above. It has dried and I have a jar of it in ACV as a daily
tonic, some with ACV and honey, as well as a batch done up with vodka and honey.
I almost hated to make anything up with it…they looked so cozy hanging in the
kitchen like that, LOL</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57ocW5DXjHo/WAZwTYXYAWI/AAAAAAAAG3s/mpK5GUkOggw1vEvtj55v8gElv14HRNSIQCLcB/s1600/august%2Bhike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57ocW5DXjHo/WAZwTYXYAWI/AAAAAAAAG3s/mpK5GUkOggw1vEvtj55v8gElv14HRNSIQCLcB/s320/august%2Bhike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">We took a few hikes up the mountain and
gathered some American Beautyberry and infused it for a no-bite bug
balm</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwnecCPuvxQ/WAZwYD4PjYI/AAAAAAAAG3w/nMmrmvzh7mwMViwTiwED-IYnsE4yEPm3wCEw/s1600/big%2Bhill%2Bpond%2Bhiking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwnecCPuvxQ/WAZwYD4PjYI/AAAAAAAAG3w/nMmrmvzh7mwMViwTiwED-IYnsE4yEPm3wCEw/s320/big%2Bhill%2Bpond%2Bhiking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">As soon as the humidity dropped (truly
it took a nose-dive for almost a week…barely getting 30% humidity was such a
blessing!) we hit the trails at one of our favorite parks,<em><span style="color: red;"> </span></em></span><a href="http://bighillpond.com/" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">Big Hill Pond State
Park</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> in Tennessee. Click that link and
you can see some of the sites there with their virtual tour set up. There is a
great view of the Dismal Swamp boardwalk we love, as well as an incredible 360*
view from the top of the tower.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxb9YieF3dc/WAZwdVJjLdI/AAAAAAAAG34/cfwWjvet2sYo40uLwUDakgs7gNpHlbh1QCEw/s1600/liams%2Bfirst%2Bhike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxb9YieF3dc/WAZwdVJjLdI/AAAAAAAAG34/cfwWjvet2sYo40uLwUDakgs7gNpHlbh1QCEw/s320/liams%2Bfirst%2Bhike.jpg" width="180" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">Liam went along on one of the hikes
this time. We haven’t taken him ‘hiking’ at all yet, just visiting parks with
paved trails or roadways we can use his stroller or the wagon on. This was his
first hike with us. We took a long trail and it proved interesting to say the
least. Apparently I have lost a vital skill set that includes planning all day
hiking adventures with toddlers, LOL! We had a lot of steep grades, a rock, a
large outcropping of boulders to navigate, and he fully expected to climb the 70
foot tower with the rest of the kids. I had to bribe him with a granola bar to
stay down below with me, LOL He had a blast though, so it was all worth it.
We’ll get better at the toddler hiking as the season moves along.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">I’ve been working on some yarn work and
a few sewing projects as well, The weather changes just make me antsy for winter
gift making. I am so ready for moving my rocking chair into the kitchen,
lighting my oil lamps, and working on yarn or fabric projects in front of the
cookstove on a cold wintry evening. Sigh. Hopefully I get to this winter. So
far, almost the end of October, and it’s barely cool at all again. I miss a good
crisp autumn and chilly winter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">So, those yarn projects…have you tried
your hand at the latest craze this season, <em><a href="http://thecrochetcrowd.com/planned-pooling-variegated-yarn/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Planned Color Pooling</span></a></em>? If
you’re a yarny type, you can’t have missed the gazillion posts on blogs,
Facebook, and Instagram about creating those lovely argyle-looking scarves,
washcloths, placemats, blankets and more. It’s definitely the ‘latest and
greatest’ of the season. I am trying it out myself. I need to play around with
some other hooks to fully achieve the affect, but I am yarned up and ready for
Christmas gift projects. Here are some links to get you started if you’ve missed
the idea…</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Statnerd/craft-smart-yarn-pooling-demo" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">Statnerd’s Craft Smart
Yarn Pooling Demo</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> at Ravelry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.redheart.com/learn/articles/quick-guide-to-color-pooling" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">Red Heart
tutorial</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> along with a list of their
yarns that work for the best effect</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2016/09/crochet-planned-color-pooling-scarf.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">Repeat Crafter
Me</span></em></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><em><span style="color: red;">Glamour 4
You</span></em> has a good tutorial as well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">But there’s always regular yarn work to
do as well :-)</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">And plenty of fabric gifts to
be made. This went on to become a raggy quilt for a friend in town’s new baby. I
love how it turned out, and have plenty of squares cut and ready for a girly
version in rose tones and grays as well. Might need to make a larger version for
the grandson next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L01XaEwdE90/WAZxLgSGwKI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/SuCTRtNmQcIYSJJrZNMgt5cs0YvFqLR5gCLcB/s1600/button%2Bornament%2Bidea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L01XaEwdE90/WAZxLgSGwKI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/SuCTRtNmQcIYSJJrZNMgt5cs0YvFqLR5gCLcB/s320/button%2Bornament%2Bidea.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">And thinking about some other
Christmas ideas…how about these </span><a href="http://nebraskaviews.blogspot.com/search/label/Denim%20Blue%20Jeans" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">neat denim stockings
from Nebraska Views</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> blog? I love them,
and they definitely fit our rustic life here. You could easily dress them up
with lace and other fancy fabrics, embellishments, etc, but I’m rather drawn to
the rustic homespun cottons and ginghams myself. She has several pages of
interesting ideas to share. I need more time to dig around, but the denim
stockings and these cute little button men ornaments look like some projects I
need on my list this year.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">I think that pretty much sums up the
events of the past couple months around here. We’ve been reading the My Side of
the Mountain trilogy in the mornings before school starts. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7H9my73Q0NE/WAZxSSPregI/AAAAAAAAG4U/MFTSHLTgl40JB8sqQNbsXvPtHcjB-kreQCLcB/s1600/LastMidwife.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7H9my73Q0NE/WAZxSSPregI/AAAAAAAAG4U/MFTSHLTgl40JB8sqQNbsXvPtHcjB-kreQCLcB/s320/LastMidwife.png" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">For my own free time I’ve been reading
</span><a href="http://sandradallas.com/books-2/novels/a-quilt-for-christmas/" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">A Quilt for
Christmas</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> and </span><a href="http://sandradallas.com/books-2/novels/the-last-midwife/" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">The Last
Midwife</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> by Sandra Dallas. She’s one of
my favorites. I can get totally wrapped up in her stories, traveling
along with the characters, her writing is so vivid :-) I put them in my audiobook list so I could keep
reading while I did some handwork in the evenings. I don’t know what I’ll move
to next…maybe </span><a href="http://sandradallas.com/books-2/novels/alices-tulips/" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">Alice’s
Tulips</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"> or </span><a href="http://sandradallas.com/books-2/novels/quilt-walk/" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Segoe Print;">The Quilt
Walk</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">. Anyone have any other reads I
should check into? I’m always looking for something I can throw in the audiobook
list or grab for the shelves here at home.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-32666057025185221902016-08-31T17:14:00.001-05:002016-08-31T17:14:11.024-05:00Crafting the Homestead Apothecary, my favorite resources (so far!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I build my homestead apothecary I visit several sites and glean all I can in the way of herbal recipes, natural health options, beautiful printables for my binders, recipe cards printables and more<br />
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<li>as with the <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth</a> blog of articles and wonderful free printable labels and binder material (such as their <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2013/03/keepers-at-home-home-management-binder.html" target="_blank">home management binder</a> shares, and the <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2014/10/create-your-own-home-pharmacy-art-of.html" target="_blank">home apothecary</a> posts) </li>
<li><a href="http://joybileefarm.com/" target="_blank">Joybilee Farm</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://wellnessmama.com/category/remedies/" target="_blank">Wellness Mama</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.growingupherbal.com/start-here/" target="_blank">Growing Up Herbal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.smithspirations.com/" target="_blank">Smithspirations</a> blog </li>
<li> <a href="https://www.bulkherbstore.com/" target="_blank">Bulk Herb Store</a>...the blog shares, articles, recipes and overall information Shoshanna has collected personally and through her fellow herbalists has inspired me over and over</li>
<li>An herbalist blog roll <a href="http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/herbal-blogs.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://pharmacytechniciancertification.net/50-best-blogs-to-learn-about-herbalism/" target="_blank">here</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://herbalistpath.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Herbalist Path</a> blog</li>
<li><a href="http://thelittleherbal.com/category/herbs/" target="_blank">The Little Herbal </a>blog</li>
<li><a href="http://theessentialherbal.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Essential Herbal</a> magazine and blog</li>
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<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"> We've come a long way in our journey of "alternative medicines"...like this once popular children's syrup, loaded with morphine and cocaine...or the cocaine toothache drops...WOW! </span></div>
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I have been working hard this past year at building my knowledge base with online sources. I have always been more 'natural' than common RX and OTC medicines, but this past year I have really moved down the path of relearning the lost art of the herbal apothecary with actual coursework and as many goodies as I could find online...</div>
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<li>the Intermediate Herbal Course from <a href="http://theherbalacademy.com/" target="_blank">The Herbal Academy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ultimate-bundles.com/" target="_blank">Ultimate Bundle</a>
bonuses like an essential oil mini course, more ebooks than I can even count, and a year's access to the <a href="http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/" target="_blank">Herbarium</a> </li>
<li>several great videos and PDFs thru The Christian Herbal Conference from last year</li>
<li>the Herbalism 101, Herbs & Oils: Beyond the Basics, Essential Oils for Families, and starting soon, Confident Family Herbalist course from <a href="http://www.vintageremedies.com/" target="_blank">Vintage Remedies</a></li>
<li>Monthly subscription access to <a href="http://www.herbmentor.com/public/" target="_blank">Herb Mentor</a>, a site full of resources...courses like Herbal Basics, Herbs in Practice, Learning Your Plants series, Food as Medicine...more videos and interviews than I can even tell you about, several great reference sources including an Herbalpedia, and a wonderful community of folks ready to share their experiences and knowledge with each other..all for a $1 week trial or $9.95 monthly subscription. Well worth the subscription!</li>
<li>Amercian Botanical Council's <a href="http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Herbal_Library" target="_blank">Herbal Library</a> is incredible (I go to the <a href="http://cms.herbalgram.org/commissione/index.html?ts=1472678095&signature=9a1bdefebe1857d8b264c627b0b9fc0c" target="_blank">German Commission E</a> monographs often!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.anniesremedy.com/" target="_blank">Annie's Remedies</a> has several herbs shared</li>
<li><a href="http://www.henriettes-herb.com/" target="_blank">Henriette's Herbal Homepage</a> is a definitely go-to</li>
<li><a href="http://www.herbnet.com/" target="_blank">Herbnet</a></li>
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<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Pink Pills for Pale People...such a PR slogan, LOL </span></div>
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There has been a lot of reading as I build my home library with wonderful resources... </div>
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<li><a href="http://www.hopspress.com/Books/Botany_in_a_Day.htm" target="_blank">Botany in a Day</a> and the YouTube channel he shares <a href="https://youtu.be/D1DePlU15z4" target="_blank">here</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Medicine-Makers-Handbook-Home-Manual/dp/0895949903" target="_blank">The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook</a></li>
<li>Botanical Medicine for Women's Health <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Botanical-Medicine-Womens-Health-2e/dp/070206193X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1472677553&sr=8-2&keywords=botanical+medicine+for+women%27s+health" target="_blank">new edition</a> with added material available now for pre-order</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Adaptogens-Strength-Stamina-Stress-Relief/dp/1594771588" target="_blank">Adaptogens</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rosemary-Gladstars-Medicinal-Herbs-Beginners/dp/1612120059/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PB4P4P0XBR7XFEHTHEH" target="_blank">Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Herbalism-Principles-Practices-Medicine/dp/0892817496" target="_blank">Medical Herbalism</a> by David Hoffman </li>
<li><a href="http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0SO80.YRMdXHgIAaZpXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyYXJiaXE3BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjE4NzlfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1472705816/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.swsbm.com%2fEphemera%2fHerbalManual.pdf/RK=0/RS=R7tUa.Y9dYnrkNUXlIRDXwQP32A-" target="_blank">The Herbal Manual</a>, a free online PDF </li>
<li>An full online <a href="http://www.survivorlibrary.com/?page_id=1335" target="_blank">Herbal Library </a>of resources from Survival Library</li>
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I still have a lot to learn. One day my prayer is most of the common illnesses and medical moments I come across will be treated quickly, with information that has been built upon study and experience, and has become second nature to me. I want to be able to instantly bring to mind a short list of health options, and to have these items available in my yard, ready to wild forage from our woods and creek bottom, or preserved and waiting in the herbal pantry. Once upon a time, our ancestors had much of this knowledge, but it has been replaced by the Tylenols, Robitussins, and ibuprofens of our present day.<br />
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The art of The Home Apothecary is gone from much of our mindset these days. I pray I can instill the love of natural healing, of the medicines God has placed along our paths, in my children and grand-children. I have a long way to go, but I've taken those first steps by being intentional :-)<br />
What is holding you back from starting the journey?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-83917805876695334972016-08-23T11:46:00.004-05:002016-08-23T12:09:08.301-05:00A Patchwork of Our Summer Days (photo-heavy)I have been taking some internet free time here, though not exactly strict about it. I've popped in here and there, peeping at friends on Facebook, trying to keep up with a at least 1 photo daily on Instagram, etc. For the most part, it's been quick in and out and back to the necessary tasks of my day. The stress level is definitely improved with limited social access :-) And when I did stop in at Facebook, I pretty much found things as I'd left them...a whole lot of political arguments, Black Lives vs All Lives Matter debates, and some horribly flooding through Louisiana and parts of Texas.<br />
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As much as things seem to change, they really do just stay the same in terms of the "news" issues I suppose. There's an evil in this country that we seem a bit inept at shaking off right now. I just keep praying it doesn't continue to grow into what I fear is coming. We've left off from our roots and it's starting to really show. <br />
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August came and is on the way out and I finally decided it was time to sneak a peek at how the blog fared. Not too bad, though I suspect after the past couple of years of my woeful neglect, y'all don't have high expectations where this blog is concerned, LOL.<br />
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What's been up since that last June posting around the homestead you ask? I would love to give you some awesome exciting update, but on my honor, I swear my days are all white bread bland for the most part. I did however, just yesterday, have a super exciting, long awaited and prayed for, event. I can't share a great deal just yet, but I spoke to someone I have been looking for for a very, very long time. It was a huge answer to a great many prayers over the years, and a wonderful blessing. I look forward to growing that relationship further in the near future. I kid you not, this was a major deal. I'm not a sappy, emotional sort but I tell ya, I was crying tears of deep joy yesterday :-)<br />
I'm a tease, I know. But I promise I will fill y'all in as soon as I am free to do so.<br />
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So, onward...This summer there has been a few exciting moments...<br />
Our oldest son got married :-)<br />
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The boys headed in to tame their wild locks and get some nice haircuts...<i>sigh, my boys do clean up handsome don't they?</i></div>
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We helped decorate a beautiful barn that offered the perfect backdrop for the day</div>
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We helped get Big Brother put together properly, and not once did his brothers snap his suspenders (though I'm sure the temptation was strong, LOL) </div>
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We took some photos. It was <i>so nice</i> having the whole crew together, even if they couldn't manage to get looking the same way at the same time for our photos :-)</div>
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We couldn't have asked for a more blessed day. Family, new friends, and the next generation of love :-) It was definitely a beautiful day.</div>
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<b> In the School Room:</b></div>
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The <a href="https://theherbalacademy.com/" target="_blank"><b>herbal studies</b> </a>continue, though I am plodding along more than skipping along. I have discovered I apparently have a bit of test-taking phobia. I have been sitting in one unit for a couple of months now. I love the courses. I'm learning how all these various puzzle pieces connect together, discovering new herbal treatments I wasn't familiar with before, gaining a deeper understanding of some I've used for years...but I can't bring myself to take the test and move forward. </div>
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Silly, I know. I mean it's pretty simple...I either know the material and will pass the test, or I don't know squat and will not get a good grade.</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">By the way, if you've ever thought about getting more education on medicinal herbs, or just want to learn how to care for your own family in a more healthy manner, now is the time! <b><a href="https://theherbalacademy.com/" target="_blank">Herbal Academy of New England has a great back to school sale going on, with all courses, from their Introductory Herbal course, to their Clinical, Professional, and Family Herbalist programs discounted 15%.</a></b></span></div>
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The remaining 5 at home are back at the books more full-time now. We school year-round, but there are breaks along the way, and our course of study alters a bit as well. We go from textbook studies in most subjects, to a lot of outdoor study and simply reading. Right now, it's back to the textbook work to get our feet back on track. As the weather cools finally, I'm hopeful we can get back outdoors more. It's been a long, hot and sticky spring and summer. And wet. I see all these ponds so low, their dried up banks showing more and more, yet we have had rains almost daily for 2 months or better. Some light and misty, some strong and heavy. I am so ready for cold weather and maybe some winter conditions for a change.</div>
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<b>In the Kitchen:</b></div>
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This past weekend we knocked out a couple long-awaited big projects in the new kitchen addition<b>. </b>I say "new" but seriously, that space has been in the making in one manner or another, for going on 5 years now. It went from a simple deck to a covered porch, got walls in place and turned into a huge storage space. Finally cleared that accumulation out and started using it as a sort of quiet dining room and school space. Last year, we decked it all out for the holidays and used it for gathering, eating, etc. But it still wasn't moving along in terms of the final work. This weekend Dewey and Matt built the counter top area and got the farmhouse sink set into place, and we <i>finally</i> moved the Kitchen Queen from the main living space into it's new kitchen home. It isn't piped in at all yet, and I need to get the right size sink drain, but I can see the finish line just ahead finally!! </div>
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I'm excited. It's definitely not the dream kitchen everyone would want, but it is every bit of the vision I had for this space :-) The counter space is about as rustic as you can get...simple 2x6 boards. I scrubbed them with Apple Cider Vinegar, then after that dried, I've been applying coats of oil. Started with grapeseed oil, used a bit of coconut oil, and am currently treating it with olive oil. Guess my ADHD kicked in and I couldn't choose just one, LOL. The wood has soaked in the oil nicely, taking longer and longer to absorb it all. The last coat I applied last night is still showing it's shine and moisture, so I am probably about finished. When the antique table gets brought in to be my work surface and island between the sink and the cookstove, I'll prep the large cutting board top in the same manner. There will be a primitive cutting board cover for the electric range as well, to help camouflage it when we aren't using it.</div>
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There's still quite a bit of work to do in here to get it finished, but it's just about usable now, and I can live with that. Next weekend, if the weather cooperates, maybe we can get the stovepipe in and get the Queen hooked up for use. And that sink drain, lol. We haven't put the hearth in for the cookstove yet, or even laid the flooring down, but I am so ready to start really using that space!</div>
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It hasn't been all construction and such in the kitchen. Life still has to happen around here, despite the stacked 2x4s and power tools. We've been doing our usual stuff like menu planning, bread baking, etc but a couple weeks back we brought home 80# of bananas and set to prepping them for the dehydrator and the freezer. We had to make several loaves of banana bread to enjoy, though after slicing bananas all day, no one was that interested in eating banana anything for a few days, LOL.<br />
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We cleared the frozen veggies from the freezers and dehydrated them to store in the pantry, and got some needed bulk mixes made up as well.<br />
If you don't have a big garden or access to good farm markets to buy your fresh vegetables, frozen is a better option than most canned vegetables. If you're like me and stock up on them as sales come along, you may find you have a freezer full. As we start planning the bulk meat purchase and more cases of <b><a href="https://zayconfresh.com/refer/zf139378" target="_blank">Zaycon Foods</a></b> wonderful chicken breasts, I found I needed space freed up in those freezers. Dehydrating the frozen fruits and vegetables stored there was easy :-)<br />
I normally keep a lot of cans of cream of this or that soup on hand to use here. It's easy to ditch those cans and mix up from scratch really, but I wanted to give <b><a href="http://www.21stcenturysimpleliving.com/?p=1827" target="_blank">a bulk mix recipe</a></b> I had here a try. Although I added the chicken bouillon into the mix, it can be left out to add on an as-needed basis, making the recipe even more versatile by subbing beef bouillon, or even a vegetable bouillon. We tend to use chicken or mushroom soup here most often, so I added it in the main mix. If you want more DIY Pantry Mixes and dehydrating ideas, I definitely suggest visiting <b><a href="http://www.21stcenturysimpleliving.com/" target="_blank">21st Century Simple Living</a></b>. You will be taking a lot of notes :-) Next on my list of DIY, the <b><a href="http://www.21stcenturysimpleliving.com/?p=261" target="_blank">Tomato Powder</a></b>. I currently buy that in the ethnic foods section of my Walmart, but making it myself would be so much more healthy. It reconstitutes into everything...tomato juice, tomato paste, tomato sauce. Of course having ready-to-go tomatoes in the pantry is great thing, but tomato powder would be a huge bonus as well. I can easily add a few spoonfuls to 'beef' up the flavors of soups, stews, casseroles, etc.<br />
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a photo of my dear friend Glenda's current canning stash :-)</div>
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I love seeing the jars fill in the spaces. Used to be our pantry held almost nothing but jars of home-canned foods and very few store-bought items. I've gotten too far away from that in the past few years and it's time to get back on track. I'm thinking we may need to leave the warming oven off the Queen this winter so I can get some canning done. My<a href="http://www.allamericancanner.com/allamericanpressurecanner.htm" target="_blank"> <b>All American pressure canner</b></a> is huge and doesn't fit on the cook surface with the warming oven in place. Not that I want a smaller one...canning meats is a long process per batch, and being able to load 19 quart jars into this canner is a huge bonuse, LOL.<br />
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<b>In the Craft Basket:</b><br />
I have no current projects really. I've been wandering around patterns looking for some inspiration, but all I've been working on are dishcloths and pot holders. I have a million patterns set aside for working on, but I just haven't found that <i>perfect yarn</i> for any of them yet.<br />
You knitters and crocheters know what I'm talking about. The struggle is real.<br />
I need to get working on something else soon. I mean really, I may be a mess in the kitchen while I'm working, but even I only need so many dishcloths and potholders, lol.<b></b></div>
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<b>Around the Homestead:</b></div>
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We've finally had some dryer days where collecting our water at the spring-fed lake wasn't put off. I love going out there, though I'd much prefer a good water source here on the homestead (yes, we have tap water, but it's not something we will use for drinking or cooking. The chlorine levels are pretty high still.) Still, I love visiting the private spring-fed lake when they open weekly for the public to gather water. Even with the 100+ temps we've been having since mid-June, it's a peaceful, enjoyable time.</div>
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A couple weeks ago we took a quick (ha ha), fairly unplanned road trip one Saturday...to Baxter Springs, Kansas to pick up Matt's girlfriend so she could come visit before school resumed. The 8 hour one way drive made for a long, long day. You would think, 8 hours there, maybe an hour lay-over, then 8 hours back equals 17 hours. It might for normal folks, but for me...it was more along the lines of 22 hours. I like to meander a bit :-)</div>
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Meandering aside, the scenery we were treated to was amazing and well worth the zombie-like state we were in the following day. The area around the <b><a href="http://www.stateparks.com/ouachita.html" target="_blank">Ouachita National Forest</a></b> and the <b><a href="http://www.stateparks.com/ozark.html" target="_blank">Ozark National Forest</a></b> is absolutely beautiful. I could definitely live there in that mountain terrain, lost in the acres of woodland :-) </div>
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On the return trip the following Saturday, we managed a great 3 hour visit with a dear online friend :-) She drove down an hour or so with her husband and children to meet up with us for lunch. We had a great visit after years of text, Facebook, and phone chatting.</div>
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We've also done some country road trips locally, of course they were mainly to check out the elderberry progress along the mountain roads and fields. Wild foraging has been a lot of fun this year. <b><a href="http://www.herbmentor.com/public/" target="_blank">As I learn more and more in my courses</a></b> about botany in general, recognizing wild plants, and the many remedies they provide, I am amazed at everything that is around me I have over-looked all these years.<br />
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We found enough wild violets/leaves for a huge batch of infused oil for salve making, honeysuckle, Mimosa blossoms to make 3 jars of tincture, elder flowers gathered and dried for use, and a jar full of dried elderberries. I placed an order for some other necessary herbs I wanted to have on hand as well.<br />
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Everything you need for <b><a href="http://avivaromm.com/herbal-medicine-for-women" target="_blank">keeping your family healthy</a></b>, tending seasonal and chronic ailments, treating wounds...it's all right there in nature, just waiting to be rediscovered and put back into use. We've lost so much of the knowledge our ancestors had and have turned to OTC 'faux medicines' that offer little more than a bandaid to the problem, and often create new problems to compound our already weakened systems.<br />
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Learning all I can to help my family break that cycle is a top priority for me. It's a slow process, having to relearn these long lost 'arts' and break my mind from thinking Tylenol (or any other medicine) first, but it's the legacy I want to leave for my children and grandchildren :-)<br />
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I don't think there's much else to share about the last month or so. Like I've said, we are a pretty boring bunch here. Most excitement we tend to have is fighting the tall, wet grass to mow and weed eat. I do have a project I am working on, but it's nowhere near the ready to share stages yet. Not to tease, just not sure which direction it will take or if it will even come to fruition, so I'll keep it tucked away for now. Wouldn't mind some prayers sent up on its behalf, just in case it does continue on and develop :-)<br />
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For the most part though, It's just same ol, same ol around here from day to day. We just change up the tasks a bit to fit the season. Right now, I'm in pantry-mode so we are ready for whatever autumn and winter bring to us here in the Deep South.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-17753852771262763782016-07-11T11:01:00.002-05:002016-07-11T11:01:47.674-05:00A Season of Fear, Prayer, and most likely Martial Law...I get a lot of nonsense notes from people who visit here, friend me on Facebook, even on Instagram, telling me how I am not doing this right, or how I am completely wrong in my thinking or actions. By a lot, I mean almost daily. I do get totally aggravated at some of them, but for the most part, the trolls simply crack me up. There is apparently no end to the things y'all have to complain about concerning how I live, what I believe, how I believe, how I raise my children, choose to dress, which manner of homeschooling I have selected, what I spend my money on, even which Bible I prefer to use.<br />
<br />
Either I am the world's most inept, illiterate, utterly stupid bit of nothing or y'all spend too much time looking for things, LOL. Obviously I prefer to believe the latter.<br />
<br />
I do believe y'all watch far too many online news reports and believe their twists and turns a bit too deeply. Or you've watch a few too many Walking Dead episodes.<br />
<br />
Martial Law, as defined by <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law" target="_blank">Merriam-Webster</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="card-primary-content">
<ol class="definition-list">
<li><div class="definition-inner-item with-sense">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><em class="sense">1</em><span> <span class="intro-colon">:</span> the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="definition-inner-item with-sense">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><em class="sense">2</em><span> <span class="intro-colon">:</span>
the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government
in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable
to maintain public order and safety</span></span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h1>
<a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Martial+law" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Martial Law</span></a></h1>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><span class="hvr">The</span> <span class="hvr">exercise</span> of <span class="hvr">government</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">control</span> by <span class="hvr">military</span> <span class="hvr">authorities</span> <span class="hvr">over</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">civilian</span> <span class="hvr">population</span> of a <span class="hvr">designated</span> <span class="hvr">territory.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="hvr">Martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span> is an <span class="hvr">extreme</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">rare</span> <span class="hvr">measure</span> <span class="hvr">used</span> to <span class="hvr">control</span> <span class="hvr">society</span> <span class="hvr">during</span> <span class="hvr">war</span> or <span class="hvr">periods</span> of <span class="hvr">civil</span> <span class="hvr">unrest</span> or <span class="hvr">chaos.</span> <span class="hvr">According</span> to <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Supreme</span> <span class="hvr">Court,</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">term</span> <i><span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span></i> <span class="hvr">carries</span> no <span class="hvr">precise</span> <span class="hvr">meaning</span> (<i><span class="hvr">Duncan</span> v. <span class="hvr">Kahanamoku</span></i>, <span class="hvr">327</span> <span class="hvr">U.S.</span> <span class="hvr">304,</span> 66 S. <span class="hvr">Ct.</span> <span class="hvr">606,</span> 90 L. <span class="hvr">Ed.</span> <span class="hvr">688</span> <span class="hvr">[1946]).</span> <span class="hvr">However,</span> <span class="hvr">most</span> <span class="hvr">declarations</span> of <span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span> <span class="hvr">have</span> <span class="hvr">some</span> <span class="hvr">common</span> <span class="hvr">features.</span> <span class="hvr">Generally,</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">institution</span> of <span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span> <span class="hvr">contemplates</span> <span class="hvr">some</span> <span class="hvr">use</span> of <span class="hvr">military</span> <span class="hvr">force.</span> To a <span class="hvr">varying</span> <span class="hvr">extent,</span> <span class="hvr">depending</span> on <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span> <span class="hvr">order,</span> <span class="hvr">government</span> <span class="hvr">military</span> <span class="hvr">personnel</span> <span class="hvr">have</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">authority</span> to <span class="hvr">make</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">enforce</span> <span class="hvr">civil</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">criminal</span> <span class="hvr">laws.</span> <span class="hvr">Certain</span> <span class="hvr">civil</span> <span class="hvr">liberties</span> <span class="hvr">may</span> be <span class="hvr">suspended,</span> <span class="hvr">such</span> as <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">right</span> to be <span class="hvr">free</span> <span class="hvr">from</span> <span class="hvr">unreasonable</span> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span class="hvr">searches</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">seizures,</span> <span class="hvr">freedom</span> of <span class="hvr">association</span></span>, <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">freedom</span> of <span class="hvr">movement.</span> <span class="hvr">And</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">writ</span> of <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/habeas+corpus">Habeas Corpus</a> <span class="hvr">may</span> be <span class="hvr">suspended</span> <span class="hvr">(this</span> <span class="hvr">writ</span> <span class="hvr">allows</span> <span class="hvr">persons</span> <span class="hvr">who</span> <span class="hvr">are</span> <span class="hvr">unlawfully</span> <span class="hvr">imprisoned</span> to <span class="hvr">gain</span> <span class="hvr">freedom</span> <span class="hvr">through</span> a <span class="hvr">court</span> <span class="hvr">proceeding).</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">In <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">United</span> <span class="hvr">States,</span> <span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span> <span class="hvr">has</span> <span class="hvr">been</span> <span class="hvr">instituted</span> on <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">national</span> <span class="hvr">level</span> <span class="hvr">only</span> <span class="hvr">once,</span> <span class="hvr">during</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Civil</span> <span class="hvr">War,</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> on a <span class="hvr">regional</span> <span class="hvr">level</span> <span class="hvr">only</span> <span class="hvr">once,</span> <span class="hvr">during</span> <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/World+War+II">World War II</a>. <span class="hvr">Otherwise,</span> it <span class="hvr">has</span> <span class="hvr">been</span> <span class="hvr">limited</span> to <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">states.</span> <span class="hvr">Uprisings,</span> <span class="hvr">political</span> <span class="hvr">protests,</span> <span class="hvr">labor</span> <span class="hvr">strikes,</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">riots</span> <span class="hvr">have,</span> at <span class="hvr">various</span> <span class="hvr">times,</span> <span class="hvr">caused</span> <span class="hvr">several</span> <span class="hvr">state</span> <span class="hvr">governors</span> to <span class="hvr">declare</span> <span class="hvr">some</span> <span class="hvr">measure</span> of <span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="hvr">Martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span> on <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">national</span> <span class="hvr">level</span> <span class="hvr">may</span> be <span class="hvr">declared</span> by <span class="hvr">Congress</span> or <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">president.</span> <span class="hvr">Under</span> <span class="hvr">Article</span> I, <span class="hvr">Section</span> 8, <span class="hvr">Clause</span> <span class="hvr">15,</span> of <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Constitution,</span> <span class="hvr">Congress</span> <span class="hvr">has</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">power</span> <span class="hvr">"[t]o</span> <span class="hvr">provide</span> <span class="hvr">for</span> <span class="hvr">calling</span> <span class="hvr">forth</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Militia</span> to <span class="hvr">execute</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Laws</span> of <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Union,</span> <span class="hvr">suppress</span> <span class="hvr">insurrections</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">repel</span> <span class="hvr">Invasions."</span> <span class="hvr">Article</span> <span class="hvr">II,</span> <span class="hvr">Section</span> 2, <span class="hvr">Clause</span> 1, of <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Constitution</span> <span class="hvr">declares</span> <span class="hvr">that</span> <span class="hvr">"[t]he</span> <span class="hvr">President</span> <span class="hvr">shall</span> be <span class="hvr">Commander</span> in <span class="hvr">Chief</span> of <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Army</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> <span class="hvr">Navy</span> of <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">United</span> <span class="hvr">States,</span> <span class="hvr">and</span> of <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Militia</span> of <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">several</span> <span class="hvr">States,</span> <span class="hvr">when</span> <span class="hvr">called</span> <span class="hvr">into</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">actual</span> <span class="hvr">Service</span> of <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">United</span> <span class="hvr">States."</span> <span class="hvr">Neither</span> <span class="hvr">constitutional</span> <span class="hvr">provision</span> <span class="hvr">includes</span> a <span class="hvr">direct</span> <span class="hvr">reference</span> to <span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law.</span> <span class="hvr">However,</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">Supreme</span> <span class="hvr">Court</span> <span class="hvr">has</span> <span class="hvr">interpreted</span> <span class="hvr">both</span> to <span class="hvr">allow</span> <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">declaration</span> of <span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span> by <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">president</span> or <span class="hvr">Congress.</span> On <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">state</span> <span class="hvr">level,</span> a <span class="hvr">governor</span> <span class="hvr">may</span> <span class="hvr">declare</span> <span class="hvr">martial</span> <span class="hvr">law</span> <span class="hvr">within</span> <span class="hvr">her</span> or <span class="hvr">his</span> <span class="hvr">own</span> <span class="hvr">state.</span> <span class="hvr">The</span> <span class="hvr">power</span> to do so <span class="hvr">usually</span> is <span class="hvr">granted</span> in <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">state</span> <span class="hvr">constitution.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
Some of you will believe it is <i>I </i>who have watched too many TV shows when I say that Martial Law will be coming to a major city near you very soon. You either don't believe things are that bad in our communities, or that the government wouldn't stoop to any such drastic level as that.<br />
I disagree. We have seen the official actions of Martial Law in this country only a couple of times, as stated above. However, if you look back over actions during various events in this country, we have had it more often, just without the official label. Look at the rule of law instituted following Hurricane Katrina in 2005? It was undeniably Martial Law, the powers that be simply chose to use a less invasive and freedom-squashing moniker, State of Emergency.<br />
<br />
Whatever you choose to call it, it is going to be coming to your area soon I'd venture. At the very least, to the major cities. When you decide to protest something...<i>gas prices, police brutality, urban crime rates, taxes, does it even matter really what your catalyst is?</i>...when you force your protest onto the general public, blocking traffic on roadways seems to be the protest of choice for the BLM thugs, you are breaking the law. By forcing your protest onto the public at large, who have nothing tangible invested in your chosen rant, you are a thug. You are instilling fear and distrust into innocent lives and essentially making your points, however valid or ignorant they may be, useless. You have lost whatever voice you might have had with that sort of protest. When you choose to plan out an attack, an ambush, of police officers in your State, because of a shooting you feel was over the line and racially charged <i>in another State</i>, you are not a protester, you are a psychopath killer. Your skin color doesn't even play into the issue.<br />
<br />
This is a note I received thru a Facebook friend (the writer was not my actual "friend" but had seen my various postings on all of this ridiculous Black Lives Matter protesting recently in the news thru her friends page. My friend forwarded this note to me...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">As a black family, we have seen more than our share of struggles and
set backs. Our children will not attend anything more than a community
college, their job prospects will be weak despite any intellectual
foundation they receive. Why should it be, in a country of plenty, that
we still have such a deep rift in the racial roots that formed this
country and still carry the segregation of the past with us? Black Lives
Matter is about helping people see the reality they have been allowed
to forget. They are encouraging others to stand up and clear their
vision, and sharing what a community striving for love outside of any
racial boundaries can accomplish. It is the resistance to any peaceful
effort that causes unrest.</span></blockquote>
<br />
My addressing this note was this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Ok, again, for the kindergarten level
here, black, white, chinese, japanese, native amercian, mexican...pick
whatever skin tone and ethnic background you wish...ALL OF THESE LIVES
MATTER.<br /> However, these protests are not on any level peaceful, they
are illegal and creating fear, anger, frustration, and division by the
handful (truly watch some of the news videos...it's the MAJORITY, not
the handful) of those using the protests as a means to break the law and
push their own agenda even farther. My honest opinion, when you cease
to act as though ALL or ANY of these lives are of equal importance, you
drop your own value down to the dirt level as well. By screaming from
the rooftops that you are worth more than anyone else, you prove you are
most likely not worth a portion of anyone else.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> Every child has
the same opportunity in this country. There is no conspiracy against
blacks or anyone else. The idiots telling you this are blowing smoke
into your ears because they made a choice not to further their own lives
and they want sympathy for that choice now that it has bitten them in
the backside. <br /> This isn't the Sudan, we are not some 3rd world
country here. Opportunity comes from a desire/want, and the strength of
faith and heart to pursue it. You have not because you ask not...or
because you work not. <br /> Am I seriously that blind and innocent of
mind to believe that's true? Yep, I am. To believe that only white
people have opportunity is incredibly stupid, not to mention shallow, of
you. To allow your children to believe that no matter what their
educational foundation is they will suffer in life, that their job
prospects will be weak, that they will forever lack the fundamentals to
improve themselves not only makes you empty of head, but it makes you a
very poor parent. Your thinking is the sort of crap that moves the
stupidity of the Black Lives Matter movement in this country right now.
Your stupidity is what will work to place us under Martial Law and
create those undesired outcomes. Your stupidity is what will bring our
country down another notch towards becoming the 3rd world country you
apparently want.<br /> Because a police officer or any private individual
fired his weapon and killed an armed or unarmed man, black, white or
invisible, in a State you do not even live in does not give you any sort
of rights to protest in your own backyard by enticing riots and
unlawful behavior, endangering others, etc. The BLM is just another
racial/hate group. Your foundation is on par with that of the KKK of old
even. Your fear mongering is not opening anyone's eyes to anything
other than what a group of thugs can do to an area. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> I won't
argue that it has opened my eyes. Believing that the everyday citizen is
somehow safe in their daily routine is definitely gone. Believing that I
can travel in relatively safety with my children is gone. Fully
understanding that there are groups of thugs out there who feel they
have been granted the power to determine if I am allowed to keep what I
have worked hard to attain is certainly not just an obscure idea found
in some Hollywood action flick now. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> Encourage others to stand up
and clear their vision...by breaking windows of shops, throwing rocks
at cars, blocking roadways from the travels of innocent people who have
nothing personal invested in your "cause"...these are not the actions of
someone wishing to plead their case. These are the actions of thugs, of
gang members, of criminals. I do not have any sense of pity or sympathy
for a group that believes that destruction of another will somehow make
their plea of desperation more clear. The deep rift in race in this
country is not because a white police officer shot a black man,
committing a crime, resisting arrest, standing by on the sidewalk
watching the events unfold, etc. The racial division is here, still
growing, or making a come-back, because someone...black, white, or
whatever...decided that they didn't have enough given to them at some
point in their life and they decided that in order to get farther, they
needed to take from others. The fact you believe it is only innocent men
(regardless of color) being shot and killed by Officers (of any color)
merely shows how clouded your vision is. Are innocent people shot? Of
course they are. That doesn't mean it's an issue of race. Just because
the news is baiting the racial beast by sharing only stories of black
lives taken by white officers hardly means that is the only "news" going
on out in the community. They are baiting people like you...people who
already have a stone in their shoe about how miserable their lives have
been. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> Want to strive for love outside racial boundaries? Stop
blocking roadways from people who have nothing to do with your so-called
cause. Stand on the side and voice your opinion, but allow them to
listen to ignore as they choose. You lost your voice when you took their
choice from them.</span></blockquote>
<br />
These events, this sort of thinking, is what will bring the bigger agenda into play...Martial Law, State of Emergency in the coming months, in major cities, that will bring a halt to the election process and shut down the government change-over. Look at the way people are behaving now, innocent people being targeted and attacked for some random reasoning that is only connected in the mind of the attacker. You can't honestly believe it won't get worse when that Martial Law or State of Emergency is declared. It will be a rippling effect from those larger cities right thru this country, everyone being caught in the wake of the stupidity.<br />
<br />
Y'all have poked fun at my "prepper" ideas for years, called me a conspiracy follower, even chided my claiming to be a person of FAITH. I totally believe in God, I do not believe HE has abandoned this country or its people, and I do not believe HE wants us given over to a spirit of fear. I do, however, believe HE has shown us more than enough signs of what is coming our way personally, as well as HIS repeated warnings of what our lives will be like in our final days, that we should have our eyes well opened to the current lay of the land and the direction of its path.<br />
I have never "prepped" from a vision of fear, I prep for common sense. The economy is never that great, it goes in seasons/cycles. Jobs are lost every day, commerce does not change with the job outlook, prices increase more often than they decrease. There are numerous natural disasters scourging our land, creating more upheaval in their passing. Nothing is forever. It's all that simple. Really. I prepare...with food, knowledge, skills, etc...so that I can (with a lot of prayer and hope) keep my family safe and continuing forward during hard times, no matter what causes those times.<br />
<br />
Right now, given the daily news bites of unrest/attacks/protests, coupled with the fact that the government is preparing to <i>switch hands</i> as it were in the coming months, I cannot help but feel my preparing is more urgent, and not up to the level I would have liked for such events ahead. I will continue to do all I can to get as ready as I can, but time is quickly running out. My deepest prayers are with my country, our police officers, our neighbors, our cities. The time has never, in our lifetime, been as ripe for a serious rift and destruction as it is now.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>A prudent <i>man</i> foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.</b></span><span class="p"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-13991630368129314292016-07-03T11:25:00.000-05:002016-07-03T11:25:36.535-05:00Bringing in July with a bang!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh8QoS8C5C0/V3kylzgJrbI/AAAAAAAADcA/jyatuTsuTQMKmIabK9v2FUacHq3JEeDJACLcB/s1600/julyfireworks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh8QoS8C5C0/V3kylzgJrbI/AAAAAAAADcA/jyatuTsuTQMKmIabK9v2FUacHq3JEeDJACLcB/s1600/julyfireworks.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
Miss Emily has her 10th birthday next weekend, however she has always gotten her celebration during the 4th of July weekend. She has spent a good many years of her life being tickled to pieces that apparently <b><i>everyone</i></b> celebrates her birthday along with her :-) Of course she understands the meaning of Independence Day now, but I think there's a part of her that still gets excited knowing while we are celebrating here, everyone else is celebrating as well.<br />
<br />
Another reason we celebrated this weekend rather than her actual birthday is with the new job starting to pick up the pace finally, this is probably the last weekend we will have the menfolk home for a while. We had everyone here, grilling out, sharing birthday wishes, and we ended the day with a big fireworks show. Both our married children were here. I love that but it's a touch of sadness also.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYRSrYDKj_8/V3k382R1-nI/AAAAAAAADcY/cTKhbQpsUcsNZCuJe4KqUVfiKbLd71wrQCLcB/s1600/emptynest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYRSrYDKj_8/V3k382R1-nI/AAAAAAAADcY/cTKhbQpsUcsNZCuJe4KqUVfiKbLd71wrQCLcB/s320/emptynest1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>I have married children, starting their own families, pursuing lives away from the homestead. </i><br />
Sure that's what a parent wants for their children, but it's an ending of a era as much as the starting of another. Sigh...they won't always be home for celebrations like this. They will have family plans of their own sometimes. The nest will slowly empty out more and more, even with grandchildren. This will always be <i>home base</i> so to speak, but things are changing. I'm still working on adjusting to that.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U9hyw9_75ws/V3k4ON-07uI/AAAAAAAADcc/bucZEX93bHkMnfDWekGCWRpmlhyJe02dwCLcB/s1600/emptynestnewgoal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U9hyw9_75ws/V3k4ON-07uI/AAAAAAAADcc/bucZEX93bHkMnfDWekGCWRpmlhyJe02dwCLcB/s320/emptynestnewgoal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Forward motion is what makes the world go round, right? Stand still and things get stagnant quick.<br />
<br />
With the menfolk all leaving the homestead this week we will work at getting back to something more reasonable in the scheduling and routine department. We have always been a year-round type of homeschool, taking breaks where opportunities arose. It's homeschool...we are always learning something, working on something, here. The slow start of this new job gave us over a month of hit and miss scheduling around here and I think we shall count that as our 'summer break'. It is time to get back into the routine of schooling around here, <i>for all of us</i>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://theherbalacademy.com/" target="_blank">Herbal Academy of New England</a><br />
<a href="http://vintageremedies.com/" target="_blank">Vintage Remedies</a><br />
<a href="http://herbmentor.com/" target="_blank">Herb Mentor</a> </blockquote>
<br />
I have done a good deal of reading and study for my herbal courses, but I haven't put any more of an effort into keeping up to date than the children have with their own schoolwork. I have several video courses to get completed and out of the way, a list of books to read, tests to take to move into new study areas, etc. We need to hash out a new schedule for the homestead and the homeschooling here and get cracking!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A8Z15h5wghg/V3kte47OF-I/AAAAAAAADbo/sQCccDaem7kH78mTYZRE4cucyAwYwKLdgCLcB/s1600/rocks-6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A8Z15h5wghg/V3kte47OF-I/AAAAAAAADbo/sQCccDaem7kH78mTYZRE4cucyAwYwKLdgCLcB/s1600/rocks-6.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">photo from <a href="http://littleschoolhouseinthesuburbs.com/" target="_blank">Little House in the Suburbs</a></span></div>
<br />
Miss Emily received a geology box as a gift. This has sparked some interest in rocks, minerals, and gems now. I see that as opportunity to help ease us back into schooling here. I have several sites bookmarked and ready to go along with her kit, and they are already collecting "specimens" from the creek and roadway. I see some fun rock collecting times ahead. May even make several trips to the fossil creek down the road here and bunny trail our studies. All of this <b>fun</b> study can guide us back into a more normal schedule for schooling days I believe. No rush, just always learning.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6h3WmdkdTw/V3kvGgEu6PI/AAAAAAAADb0/PhylyWQirUk1pysti-IsUALIF8Z9vJGdwCLcB/s1600/petrified%2Bwood%2BMS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6h3WmdkdTw/V3kvGgEu6PI/AAAAAAAADb0/PhylyWQirUk1pysti-IsUALIF8Z9vJGdwCLcB/s1600/petrified%2Bwood%2BMS.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
State stone for Mississippi, petrified wood...</div>
<br />
Here are some of the sites I have tucked away for use. If you have any suggestions, definitely share them!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://littleschoolhouseinthesuburbs.com/2012/06/minerals-classified-cards.html/" target="_blank">Little House in the Suburbs: classification cards</a><br />
she is in west Tennessee and shares a lot of localized information sets we may just grab as well <a href="http://littleschoolhouseinthesuburbs.com/2012/01/classified-cards-for-west-tennessee.html/" target="_blank">West Tennessee species cards</a><br />
Find out what's in your area using the <a href="http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/" target="_blank">eNature Guide</a> site <br />
Lots of videos on rocks from <a href="http://www.neok12.com/Types-of-Rocks.htm" target="_blank">NeoK12</a><br />
<a href="http://geology.com/articles/what-is-geology.shtml" target="_blank">Geology.com </a><br />
information loaded site, with <a href="http://geology.com/geology-dictionary.shtml" target="_blank">Geology and Earth Dictionary</a>, <a href="http://geology.com/rocks/" target="_blank">Rocks</a> page...well worth hunting thru<br />
<a href="http://www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids/0019-inside-of-earth.php" target="_blank">KidsGeo.com</a><br />
<a href="http://mommaowlslab.blogspot.com/2012/01/science-thursday-crayon-rocks.html" target="_blank">Momma Owl's Lab</a> has a fun crayon rock cycle activity for younger children, a fun site to wander thru, and several great Pinterest leads<br />
YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rocks+and+minerals&oq=rocks+&gs_l=youtube.1.0.35i39j0l9.422.1082.0.3216.6.5.0.0.0.0.175.432.3j2.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.LJC2ezgS18Q" target="_blank">Rocks and Minerals</a> resource videos</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-7208830376298723802016-06-26T12:05:00.000-05:002016-06-26T12:05:44.688-05:00The winner is....The kids and I set up for the drawing this morning, cutting out all the names on slips of paper, folding them, finding a container...<br />
<br />
Before I announce the winner here, I want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered! This was a spur of the moment idea we had here, and the first I've ever done so I'm sure I made a few extra steps to the process than were nevessary...<br />
<br />
But I had so much FUN putting together some of our favorite goodies to share with everyone. These are all things we use here ourselves and have found useful for our day to day as well as our health. We prayed over the names and then dove in for the drawing.<br />
<br />
I wish everyone could have won.<br />
<br />
Without killing your patience completely here's our winner...<br />
<br />
MOMMY SIZED HEART<br />
<br />
I'll go thru the comments and emails and contact you today to share the news and get your details for mailing.<br />
<br />
Again...thank you, each of you, for joining in the fun here. I hope some of the new visitors will come back again and become friends ❤Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-65737234750368029352016-06-23T15:15:00.003-05:002016-06-23T15:15:43.297-05:00Did you enter??? There's just ONE DAY LEFT!!!There's just one day left until I draw the name of the winner of our Hands and Hearts Farm Giveaway.<br />
Drawing will be in the afternoon on Saturday June 25th.<br />
I will post the winner's name here on the blog...as well as contact them directly via email (if an email address was shared)...on the Hands and Hearts Farm Facebook page...on my personal Facebook page...and there will be a video clip of the drawing on my Instagram page.<br />
<br />
I think that covers everything. The final giveaway package will be a bit of a surprise as I have continued to add things all month. The basic package is still the same, but there are extras I hope the winner will enjoy.<br />
<br />
I will collect any additional names from the Facebook notices for the giveaway, as well as any additional comments at 8pm tomorrow night (Friday, June 24th) as a sort of official close to the giveaway.<br />
<br />
Here's the information you need to join:<br />
<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><a href="http://plainhomesteading.blogspot.com/2016/06/readysetenter-now.html"><b>http://plainhomesteading.blogspot.com/2016/06/readysetenter-now.html</b></a><b> </b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-6494315718347637212016-06-04T00:00:00.000-05:002016-06-04T00:00:24.515-05:00Ready...Set..ENTER NOW!!Are you ready to enter our give away for a great sampling of our favorite handmade gifts and herbal goodies here at Hands and Hearts Farm? It's time to get this party rolling!<br />
<br />
Here's what's tucked away in the basket of goodies so far...I will be adding to this all month, so the finished basket of goodies will have some special surprises as well :-)<br />
<br />
A full 4oz bottle of each our favorite tinctures, handcrafted from quality herbs and USP grade, Kosher certified, Haial certified, gluten-free, food grade vegetable glycerine (from Bulk Herbs). These are the tinctures we have used ourselves and found effective. Included is<br />
<b>Snooze Time: </b>naturally caffeine-free mixture of herbs with no known side effects on children, adults, or breastfeeding/pregnant moms. Contains lemon balm, catnip, chamomile, passionflower, oatstraw, and hops.<br />
<b>Old Fashioned Elderberry</b>: Well-documented as effective in fighting influenza, H1N1, and maintaining the immune system, elderberries are high in vitamin C as well as containing vitamin A. Can be used as a year-round tonic. Safe for adults, children, breastfeeding/pregnant moms. Contains dried sambucus nigra berries.<br />
<b>Immunity Boost: </b>Designed to give an added boost to your immune system, this tonic is for short-term use during active illness, rather than as a preventative tonic. Contains nettle leaf, peppermint leaf, echinacea tops, elderberries, eleuthero root, and rose hips.<br />
<b>Lemon Balm: </b>I don't even have "real" labels done up yet for this great addition to our medicinal cabinet! The homestead was recently host to a stomach virus that put half down with very soft stomachs and the other half were hit with vomiting. Not a pleasant time. I had just decanted the lemon balm tincture so we gave it an immediate test run. It worked GREAT! A carminative herb (soothes the gut wall, eases griping pains and reduces the production of gas/bloating in the digestive tract), it is slightly bitter with a light lemony flavor. Our tincture is pure lemon balm, but you could easily add this to any relaxing tea blend for more healing action.<br />
<br />
Tins of healing salves, made with olive, sweet almond or grapeseed oil as a base for the infused herbs, and natural beeswax. One 'neosporin' blend uses essential oils rather than herb-infused oil. We're sharing our most requested, most used blends in 2oz tins...<br />
<b>Deep Muscle Rub</b>: made with olive oil, St, John's Wort, <span style="color: red;">arnica (not for use on open wounds or cuts), <span style="color: black;">lobelia leaf, comfrey, and peppermint.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Eden Salve (Green Salve):</b> </span></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">"Support healthy skin, fast recovery, and your body’s natural defense
against infection. This easily prepared salve mix contains astringent,
antibacterial, soothing and healing properties that may help to heal and
moisturize skin, clear rashes, fight infection, draw out poison,
relieve itching, reduce inflammation, minimize scarring, sooth burns,
remove blemishes from the skin, and more! You can apply it to wounds and
problem areas as often as needed." [from <b><a href="http://Support healthy skin, fast recovery, and your body’s natural defense against infection. This easily prepared salve mix contains astringent, antibacterial, soothing and healing properties that may help to heal and moisturize skin, clear rashes, fight infection, draw out poison, relieve itching, reduce inflammation, minimize scarring, sooth burns, remove blemishes from the skin, and more! You can apply it to wounds and problem areas as often as needed." target="_blank">Bulk Herbs</a></b>] Contains plantain, calendula, comfrey, yarrow, rosemary leaf, echinacea root and herb.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Gentle Baby: </b>For the most sensitive skin, we have used this for a year now with our grandson as an herbal bath wash as well as a skin healing salve. Contains lavender flowers, rosemary leaf, red rose petals, and yarrow. My mother and grandmother also have a tin of this gentle, soothing salve.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Tins of our Essential Oil Whips, or Body Butters. A mishap with an order for my 2oz salve tins earlier this year brought me 2oz miniature "tea tins" that needed a purpose. I love my essential oil blends for pain and headache, but let's face it...oil droplets can be somewhat difficult to apply right where you want them. It can't be just me...right?? I crafted a lotion base to add my essential oils to and viola...Whips are now another favorite here. So far my main ones, and the ones that seem to be most requested by friends, are the <b>Pain Be Gone</b> and the <b>Headache Ease</b>. Simple dab out a small amount and rub where needed...no more wayward drops of oil sliding down your palm while rubbing into your temples :-). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Just for fun...so far...I've added 3 handmade cotton washcloths, a roller bottle Stress Away essential oil, some of my favorite stress reducing tea from <b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/" target="_blank">Traditional Medicinals</a></span></b>, a cute kitchen hand towel I found, and one of our upcycled blue jeans potholders. If someone local enough to me to receive an in-person delivery wins, I might just throw in some yummy baked goods :-) </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Either way, there will be more goodies thrown in before the give-away closes, but these are the first additions. All in total, were I to sell the individual items shared so far, we're looking at a little over $100 right now. That isn't important though...some lucky person will get to enjoy the collection without worry of the cost!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Enough rambling...HOW DO I ENTER???</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="565c85811" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/565c85811/" id="rcwidget_0tx467yp" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br /><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-32596041191254467602016-06-01T17:45:00.001-05:002016-07-11T11:03:07.129-05:00A Give-Away and an online vacation<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b><span style="color: red;"> Give Away is now closed. Thank you!</span></b></span></div>
<br />
The give-away begins at midnight Friday/Saturday here and on the Hands and Hearts Farm Facebook page. I'm a bit off being a rafflecopter giveaway tech, but please don't worry if you miss the official rafflecopter entry...I will be sure to grab all names and entries from my online spaces and get them included before the drawing at the end of the month! I promise!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5OEMuTNb1rE/V09kYMAlJ6I/AAAAAAAADbQ/3QjbKK9RiFAky9ECB2DNp3KKKVbKbJ3uACLcB/s1600/Facebook%2BVacation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5OEMuTNb1rE/V09kYMAlJ6I/AAAAAAAADbQ/3QjbKK9RiFAky9ECB2DNp3KKKVbKbJ3uACLcB/s320/Facebook%2BVacation1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The online vacation part... I am going offline for the next couple of months, placing the home
internet and phone on a vacation hold so I am not tempted. I need to
fill my spirit with so many other things here...family, homestead, GOD. I
am distracted by internet and I know it. I am definitely not a very disciplined type of person, not with internet anyway. <br />
I will be back, and I
will pop in now and again while in town where I have internet. The cell
service here is pretty non-existent so messages aren't always seen. If you know me and you have my cell number, don't think I'm ignoring you if you don't hear from me right away. For those who don't know me in real life, I do love a great handwritten letter in the mailbox :o) Feel free to send me a comment and we can swap mailing addresses <b>(<span style="color: #38761d;">ALL comments here are moderated, and I will not publish any comments that contain personal information!</span></b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: black;">)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: black;">For my Walking Thru Scripture followers, I won't leave you high and dry completely. The Facebook group is still going, and here are the readings to get your thru to the start of August if I don't make it back before then :-) </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="color: red;"><b>June, Week 1</b></span><br /> 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72<br /> Psalm 119:89-176<br /> Song of Solomon 1-8<br /> Proverbs 1-3<br /> Proverbs 4-6<br /> Proverbs 7-9<br /> Proverbs 10-12</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<b>Week 2</b><br />
Proverbs 13-15<br />
Proverbs 16-18<br />
Proverbs 19-21<br />
Proverbs 22-24<br />
1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3<br />
1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4<br />
1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5<br />
<b>Week 3</b><br />
2 Chronicles 6-7,Psalm 136<br />
Psalm 134, 146-150<br />
1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8<br />
Proverbs 25-26<br />
Proverbs 27-29<br />
Ecclesiastes 1-6<br />
Ecclesiastes 7-12<br />
<b>Week 4</b><br />
1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9<br />
Proverbs 30-31<br />
1 Kings 12-14<br />
2 Chronicles 10-12<br />
1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16<br />
1 Kings 15:25-16:34, 2 Chronicles 17<br />
2 Chronicles 17-19<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>JULY Week 1</b></span><br />
1 Kings 20-21<br />
1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18<br />
2 Chronicles 19-23<br />
Obadiah 1, Psalm 82-83<br />
2 Kings 1-4<br />
2 Kings 5-8<br />
2 Kings 9-11<br />
<b>Week 2</b><br />
2 Kings 12-13, 2 Chronicles 24<br />
2 Kings 14, 2 Chronicles 25<br />
Jonah 1-4<br />
2 Kings15.2 Chronicles 26<br />
Isaiah 1-4 <br />
Isaiah 5-8<br />
Amos 1-5<br />
<b>Week 3</b><br />
Amos 6-9<br />
2 Chronicles 27, Isaiah 9-12<br />
Micah 1-7<br />
2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16-17<br />
Isaiah 13-17<br />
Isaiah 18-22<br />
Isaiah 23-27<br />
<b>Week 4</b><br />
2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 48<br />
Hosea 1-7<br />
Hosea 8-14<br />
Isaiah 28-30<br />
Isaiah 31-34<br />
Isaiah 35-36<br />
Isaiah 37-39, Psalm 76<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Week 5 (takes us into August 1st)</b></span><br />
Isaiah 40-43<br />
Isaiah 44-48<br />
2 Kings 18:9-19:37, Psalm 46, 80, 135<br />
Isaiah 49-53<br />
Isaiah 54-58<br />
Isaiah 59-63<br />
Isaiah 64-66<br />
<b>August Week 1</b><br />
2 Kings 20-21<br />
2 Chronicles 32-33<br />
Nahum 1-3<br />
2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35<br />
Zephaniah 1-3<br />
Jeremiah 1-3<br />
Jeremiah 4-6<br />
This will take the reading thru to the first week of August, July 31-August 6th.<br />
<br />
Have a wonderful summer my friends! I will check in periodically to say hi :-) Hopefully some of you will still visit me when I return again! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-75070314904250792882016-06-01T12:55:00.000-05:002016-06-01T12:55:10.516-05:00Hands and Hearts Farm GIVE AWAY in JUNE!!!<h1>
<span title="Edited"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geYCgi4tmgA/V08fyrInmYI/AAAAAAAADaw/jvfN4ySQqfoUyk5NsBDA3B2ftGK2e3htQCLcB/s1600/Giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geYCgi4tmgA/V08fyrInmYI/AAAAAAAADaw/jvfN4ySQqfoUyk5NsBDA3B2ftGK2e3htQCLcB/s320/Giveaway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">I'm having a give-away in
June! I've got a great package put together...here's what you'll get:</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">4oz bottles of Snooze
Time, Immunity Boost, and Old Fashioned Elderberry, and Lemon Balm tinctures (these are
kosher certified glycerine based tinctures made here on the
homestead)</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">2oz tins of our favorite salves: Deep Muscle Rub (with
arnica, so not for use on open cuts), Eden Salve (essential oil based "neosporin"), and Gentle Baby (for baby and
other sensitive skin)</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">2oz tins of our favorite essential oil Whips,
in Pain Away and Headache Ease (creamy lotion-like and easy to apply). </span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">Just for fun, I've added in some other goodies: </span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">3 handmade cotton dishcloths</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">a Farm Kiss
Herbal Mint lip balm</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">a roller bottle of Stress Away essential oil</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">4
of my current favorite tea, Stress Ease from Traditional Medicinal 💜💚</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited">Chances are I will keep adding to the basket until I simply run out of goodies I can add in so the final package will certainly be more than what I've listed here!</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited"><br />This Friday I will announce the "details" of the give-away and how you can enter yourself so check back! You
can follow at Facebook as well as Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/handsnheartsfarm/">https://www.instagram.com/handsnheartsfarm/</a>) and here on the blog. The entry period will last most of the month, with a drawing around the 29th. Winners will be announced here, on Facebook, and on Instagram account.</span></h1>
<h1>
<span title="Edited"><br />Good Luck!!</span></h1>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-6978970416504429332016-04-30T09:43:00.000-05:002016-04-30T09:43:08.417-05:00Out goes April...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Walk Thru Scripture reading is at the bottom of this post. </span><br />
I would so like to say I have been having a wonderful time working on sewing projects and playing with yarn, but alas that isn't the case. I have put work into rebuilding the dishcloth stash here, but that's been short bursts when I find a few moments to sit during the day.<br />
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I still have an ironing board loaded with all the cut squares ready to go together for the rag crib quilts I want to have on hand for sale, but I have yet to put more work into those. Truth be told, I have yet to finalize the pattern adjustments for our dresses needed for Chris and Amber's wedding. Yikes!<br />
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We have had Dewey home this week, and a few days last week. It's been nice, but it's short-lived as he will head off to Atlanta Sunday for the next job. Technically, he was unemployed Thursday...he turned in his truck and what-not back in to the company he has been with for 6 years and went Friday to pick up the new truck from the new company. A lateral move in most terms, as he will still be working away from home, but hopefully a better overall situation for him. The insurance package alone made the move a good choice. The same monthly amount will now cover him, myself, and the 5 children still at home. I still think it's rather overpriced, but at least it's covering 7 people now rather than just 2. I don't expect to even use the yearly deductible though to make it a truly gret bargain, but we shall see.<br />
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Early in April I learned that a dear friend passed away. Bless her, she had had health issues to contend with for the majority of her life, and finally, between some bouts, she took on pneumonia to top it all off and that was enough for her to be called Home. JoLynn (or Jo as she was commonly called) was a dear, sweet soul. This is her and her husband Ron. We met them as neighbors when our oldest 3 were just young. She loved watching Jen and Johanna dress up in the fanciest prom dresses they could find at Goodwill and then sit outside in the yard under a tree weaving flowers for headbands, playing with their dolls, and even wading any available mud puddles, LOL. She introduced us to our first view of the McGuffey readers, which have since become a staple in our homeschooling here. She had a passion for cross stitching and literally got wound up in a project or two to the point she would complete even the most detailed and large designs within just a couple of days. I have 3 of her creations and I love them! And reading...she delve into every religious 'flavor' out there to discern what caused church splits to craft "new" denominations, the similarities and separations of all those "new" denominations, read multiple devotional studies, etc. Her other passion, and by far her greatest next to her love of Jesus, was her husband. They had a love that very few ever know, even in part, in their lifetime. They were the deepest of friends, kindred souls in every sense of the word. We pray that Ron will continue on, with his health issues, but I suspect he will push his soul to go Home to be with her.<br />
<br /> Glimpses of the past couple of weeks here...<br />
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When we were at the spring getting water on Wednesday, we chose a long, winding rural path home as usual. At a fork in the road, in the middle of what can only be described as absolute nowhere, in the middle of the woods, this little bit of brown brindle fluff came out of the woods just wimpering away at my front tires, trying his best to climb up into my door. I couldn't just drive on. You know me...we had to put it into park, get out and find out what was going on. The little guy promptly cowered and ran back into the woods a few feet, and returned with his darker brindle toned sister. They were both wimpering and trying their best to get into the van.<br />
So we gathered them up and went on our way. We went thru a couple miles of those nowhere but woods rural roadways before even seeing any signs of habitation. My guess, someone found that deserted nowhere road and dumped these babies. They aren't very old, weaned for sure, but not by more than a couple of weeks at best.<br />
Truly, truly, people like that...people that can be so cruel as to discard without care any animal, let along young ones who have no means of caring for themselves...disgust me to no end. That sort of person gets my anger up like none other. Cowards is all they are. Cruel, uncaring, subhuman cowards :-(<br />
KatiAnne checked them both over on the rest of our drive home. They weren't covered in fleas, to my surprise, but the ticks...oh they were coated with a million ticks. Some areas had multiple ticks embedded together, literally scabbing over from being scratched at, poor babies! She removed the ones she could with more ease in the car (yep, we left a string of wayward lost ticks unceremoniously pitched along the roadside from the van window all the way home. When we got here, she and Abbey set to treating the scabbed areas, checking them more thoroughly, and removing the remainder of the ticks. They were wormed, given a flea/tick bath, and fed. They seem healthy enough, gums weren't the least bit light, they played easily once they settled down and realized we weren't going to hurt them. They are confined to the large kennel in the barn for a bit for observation then we will determine where and how to integrate them into the orphanage here.<br />
Lord knows about the last thing we needed here was another pair of pups, but He also knows my heart in matters like these and knew where to place them in my line of sight so they could be taken care of. Still, I definitely pray that we will not come across any more in the near future. I am not at all equipped for as many as we currently have, but we do the best we can with their housing. Feed isn't as big an issue as the need for more fencing and kennels! I definitely need to put a great deal of work into the orphan accommodations around here.<br />
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Between the rains, we had enough heat and enough wind to dry enough for us to get into the yard and tame the jungle, LOL. After mowing one day, we set up the hammock we gave Dewey last Father's Day and I kicked back to enjoy the breeze.<br />
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I wasn't surrounded by everyone like he was when we presented it to him, but my companion was just as good...<br />
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Is there any better companion after a hot afternoon of mowing? Of course not! Liam loves being outside, and the fresh air, combined with the gentle sway of a hammock, and he was out like a light in no time :-)<br />
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Among the workings for the <b><a href="http://handsandheartsfarm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hands and Hearts Farm shop</a></b> (woefully lacking in updates and photos, I know...the Facebook page is a bit more practical for use, and more easily updated I'm afraid. You can find the shop <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HandsandHeartsFarm/" target="_blank">here at Faceboo</a>k </b> we stumbled across a wonderful patch of wild violets and harvested a good sized batch to make up some salves. I love wild violets. These, along with lilacs and white tea roses, were my chosen flowers for our wedding. I don't have any here among our woods, but now that I know which pine section produces them up the mountain, we will definitely forage a few bundles each spring.<br />
<b><a href="http://thesurvivalmom.com/enjoy-wild-violets/" target="_blank">Uses for wild violets from Survival Mom</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.botanical-online.com/Violet.htm" target="_blank">Medicinal Uses for violets</a></b> from Botanical Online<br />
another sharing of medicinal uses here at <b><a href="http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/v/vioswe12.html" target="_blank">Botanical.com</a></b><br />
you can view the <b><a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-212-SWEET%20VIOLET.aspx?activeIngredientId=212&activeIngredientName=SWEET%20VIOLET" target="_blank">WebMD pages </a></b>as well, and they are useful in gathering more information, but be aware they do tend to be more dramatic on any adverse affects. I suppose that's to be expected though.<br />
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I didn't dry any, but I laid them out to wilt a bit and air dry for the day, then set a large jar of them to infuse into grapeseed oil. The oil has such a beautiful rich green coloring! I can't wait to use it and maybe combine some infused lavender, or calendula, for some great salves. <br />
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We are also saving and drying our eggshells as well. I'm curious to give Eggshell Water a try. Eggshells, known for their calcium content (one 1/2 teaspoon of
crushed, powdered eggshells contain about 400 mgs. of elemental calcium), a mineral responsible mainly for bone health. Eggshell membranes contain substances like glucosamine and hyaluronic
acid which improve joint elasticity and shock absorption. This makes
them ideal for fighting off conditions that affect the joints, ensuring
they are kept as fully-functioning as possible. A single medium sized egg shell has about 750-800 mgs of calcium plus
magnesium, iron, manganese, sulphur, phosphorus,silicon, gelatin,
collagen and zinc. That’s only a few of them; egg shells contain 27
microelements that are able to be absorbed by your body.<br />
Eating eggshells has also been linked to quickly decreasing pain in
those afflicted with joint problems and keeping that pain away as time
goes on.<br />
Mikhail Tombak, Ph.D., says that osteoporosis can even be treated by
eating eggshells, explaining that calcium is 90 percent absorbable by
people’s bones, and that interestingly, the makeup of eggshells is
incredibly similar to our teeth and bones. Don't go overboard though...a little goes a long way to bettering your health.<br />
<b><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/#h7" target="_blank">The National Institute of Health has good information on the supplementation, as well as the harmful side effects of too little, or too much calcium. </a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/calcium-supplements/art-20047097" target="_blank">As does the Mayo Clinic website</a>. </b><br />
<br />
Wait...what? Eating my eggshells?<br />
YES!! Here are some studies on Egg shell Calcium benefits<br />
<b><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11281164">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11281164</a></b><br />
<div class="sources">
<b><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15018022">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15018022</a></b></div>
<div class="sources">
Here is a<b> <a href="http://www.iofbonehealth.org/calcium-calculator" target="_blank">calcium calculator</a> </b>from the Osteoporosis Foundatio<b>n </b></div>
<br />
That's the plan here. Here's what you do...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Simply collect organic eggshells, then boil them in water for about
five minutes to remove any bacteria. Make sure the shells are fully
submerged.<br />
In the meantime, heat the oven to 200 degrees. Once the shells are
boiled, place them on a cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or
until very crispy. While baking them fully ensures that bacteria are
eradicated as best as possible, many opt to skip this step, content with
the boiling process, so it’s up to the individual.<br />
Finally, remove them from the oven, then grind them in a coffee
grinder or another preferred method until they are finely ground into a
powder-like form. Store in a glass container.<br />
If desired you can pour a little apple cider vinegar or lemon juice over
the crumbled egg shells to break them down and makes them softer and
forms calcium citrate.<br />
1 tsp. contains approximately 800-1,000 mg. of calcium. Dose by mixing in a small amount of water with a meal. You can dose 3/4 to 1 tsp
daily, divided in 3 servings with meals. Don’t consumer more than 1 tsp a
day as it can irritate sensitive digestive tracks! You can add your calcium powder to any drink, smoothie, even your morning oats!</blockquote>
To make a liquid calcium supplement:
<br />
Mix 4 tsp of your powdered calcium supplement with 2 cups of hot
water and 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Cover and
let cool. Strain the liquid into a glass jar and keep in the fridge.
Take a teaspoon or two a day.<br />
Another method...Pour 2 cups of hot water over 4-5 (free-range or organic is best)
crumbled egg shells. Add 1 tsp fresh lemon juice or vinegar. Cover and
let sit for 2 hours. Strain the shells out and put liquid in a clean
glass jar with a lid. Take a sip of the liquid one or two times a day.
Just because it works, does not mean you should take more than you need.
So, slowly increase your dosage until pain is the gone. After that do
not increase it. Some of us need more calcium than others, but remember
our bodies cannot handle too much calcium.<br /> Store extra liquid in the refrigerator. Eggshell Water will last for 3 to 4 days.<br />
<blockquote>
<em>When using egg shells as a supplement it is
beneficial to take it with fermented cod liver oil which is high in
vitamin D as it helps absorb the minerals. Calcium is good for you but
don’t take more than the advised amount, your body can only handle 500
mgs of calcium at a time. It is also better to take your calcium with
food. </em></blockquote>
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Among other things, we went to the final days of the Hancock Fabric store bankruptcy/liquidation sale. Of course I waited until the final days, when the discounts were 90% or better...and the stock was down to a mere several dozen bolts of fabrics and virtually nothing else. While I definitely missed out on any useful cotton fabrics, I did make quite the haul on fleece and knits to put to use here. We literally saved over $1100 on what we bought. Cha-ching! Now to figure out where to store it all...and what to make.<br />
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I think that's about it for news around here. Aside from Dewey and the kids taking apart a deck boat he bought and doing a complete stem to stern overhaul and rebuild on it, life has been pretty much the same daily routine and typical farm chaos as always here. It's been rain and heat making up most of the days, and looks to be the routine as we head into May. Typical spring in the Deep South :-) <br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><b>Walk Thru Scripture:</b></span><br />
How has your routine been holding up? Have you been keeping up with the Walk Thru Scripture reading? It's been a wonderful view of Scripture so far. There's nothing like seeing the beauty and true Plan of God in the larger scope of a chronological viewpoint! Here is the next set of readings:<br />
Psalm 106-107<br />
2 Samuel 5:11-6:23, 1 Chronicles 13-16<br />
Psalm 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68<br />
Psalm 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132<br />
2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17<br />
Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, 39<br />
2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-62723158506080931912016-04-20T11:54:00.000-05:002016-04-20T11:54:35.050-05:00Big 'ol can or worms...<span style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://lorialexander.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-problem-with-female-bible-teachers.html" target="_blank">Always Learning: The Problem with female BIble teachers</a></b></span><br />
Woman as preachers.<br />
Big can of worms. Huge. Mega size contested can of worms within the Christian circles.<br />
Do I believe it contradicts the Word of God? Yes ma'am I do.<br />
Do I believe it is a one-size-fits-all Truth? Yes. And no.<br />
<br />
Not that y'all asked my thoughts on this, but here they are for whatever pondering value they may be worth. My thoughts are going to be random, not really in any particular order.<br />
Aren't you glad I'm not a paid site, LOL<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_SubMain_lblContent" itemprop="text" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.6em;">Knowing
specifically what ministries God intends women to perform in the church
can be a challenge. For instance, can a woman teach the Bible in a high
school or college Bible club meeting? Should men read Bible-study
books, commentaries, or theology books written by women? Is a woman
permitted to lead and teach in the church youth group or lead the
singing in the main service? Many people also wonder why women who are
just as gifted and productive as men shouldn’t be allowed to use their
abilities in the church. Some women are able to teach, preach, and lead
better than many men. Why should we not let them bless the church in
those ways? These are important and challenging questions, and Scripture
gives us clear principles to follow as we answer them.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA127/Can-women-serve-as-pastors-and-elders-in-the-church" target="_blank">Can Women Serve as Elders and Pastors in the Church?</a> </blockquote>
<br />
<br />
I have always felt it was wrong for women to stand before me and preach or to teach. Even before I was Saved and had any knowledge whatsoever, I just felt it wasn't right. However, I do not see this point of view as being totally valid either...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Cor. 14: 34-35 does not say anything about women preachers. If
Paul intended this verse as a general rule to bar all women from
speaking in church, then they cannot teach Sunday School, testify, pray,
prophesy, sing, or even get saved, and this would contradict the rest of
the Bible (Acts 2:4; Acts 2:16-18).<br />
<br />
Paul was rather dealing with a particular problem in the church. Women
were not educated as were the men in that day; therefore the women would
talk back and forth to their husbands in church and ask questions
concerning the sermon. Paul said, "If they will learn anything, let
them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in
the church." If they want to talk things over let them wait until
they get home. This rule is still good for the church today, where
people are talking and causing confusion in the church service. They
should not speak in church. (Not in the back of the church either before
or after services.)<br />
<br />
If a woman cannot speak in church, then she cannot speak in prayer
meeting, young people's service, etc., for who can deny that Sunday
School and Prayer meeting, and Youth work are parts of church? Christ's
Church is not a building, but rather it is found where two or three are
gathered together in His name, whether at a street meeting, in a tent, a
home, church, classroom or anywhere else</span></span></span></blockquote>
I don't see this as saying women have no voice in church. Obviously it isn't a good thing for anyone to be chatting away during the sermon itself, it is clearly disruptive to those around you. But to say no voice within the walls of the church? That's ridiculous. I do not believe that everything needs to be "explained" to a woman, that we are somehow inferior in our ability to comprehend that we require a man to <i>spell it out</i> as it were. I do not for one minute believe God only speaks to men, and that as women, we are left to only hear the understanding of Scripture as taken by a man, even a Godly man. Clearly, women can serve a vital role in the Church. What role exactly is part of that can of worms in most Christian circles I've encountered. There have been many women in Scripture who taught, prophesied, etc. but to be ordained as pastors, I don't see at all. Placing them above men in the Church 'chain of command' I see as something God did not, and does not, approve of. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica;">God called and used women preachers in the Old Testament.<br />
DEBORAH - Judges 4:4-5. Deborah was a Judge for both civil and
criminal cases. The children of Israel came to her for judgment. She was
the chief ruler of Israel for 40 years, giving orders to the Generals
and all the army. She did the work of an evangelist, prophetess, Judge,
and a preacher. God gave her authority over the mighty (Judges 5:13).</span></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica;">MIRIAM - Exodus 15:20; Numbers 12:1; Micah 6:4. She was a Prophetess
and a Song Leader in Israel.</span></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica;">HULDAH - 2 Kings 22:14. Five men went to Sister Huldah and communed
with her. She spoke to a congregation of men concerning the book of the
Law. A female preached to a man's congregation, and her message was
taken to the nation and produced a revival.</span></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica;">MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ'S MOTHER - Isaiah 8:3. She was a prophetess.<br />
God called and used women preachers in the New Testament.<br />
</span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica;">The first message of the Resurrection of Christ was spoken by women
to a group of men.<br />
<br />
Anna - Luke 2:36-38. She must have prophesied in church, because she
did not depart from the temple.<br />
<br />
Phillip had 4 daughters who prophesied. Acts 21:9.<br />
<br />
Priscilla assisted Paul in his revival meeting and even taught
Apollos in the way of the Lord more perfectly.<br />
<br />
Phebe - Romans 16:1-2. Paul commended Phoebe to the Church at Rome and
requested that they assist her in her business. She was one of Paul's
assistants in the work of the Lord and delivered the Book of Romans to
the people from the hand of Paul.</span></span></span></blockquote>
As a woman I have my own thoughts and opinions (<i>obviously right?</i>). In the end of it all, I will be held equally accountable in my own standing, not merely as a subtext under my husband. My sins are my own, they are not my husbands, as his sins are his own and do not transfer to me (<i>in terms of salvation. I could honestly have a whole other post on the topic of following a spouse into sin, but perhaps another time</i>)<br />
<br />
How about teaching in Sunday School or in children's ministry?<br />
I have never agreed with the idea of joint, or co-ed Youth Ministries, men or women teaching. Yes, I actually believe children are far better served within the Church itself, alongside their families, rather than separated into grade levels for "children's church"...which tends to downplay any real teaching merely because they see the children as too immature in nature to comprehend a lesson unless it is full of color and sound, cute little songs, and has a snack involved.<br />
...Again I could go on about how the modern church seems intent on teaching its message even to the adults without jazzing it up to a circus environment. Y'all know I'm quite opinionated.<br />
Am I saying I don't believe there is a place for segregated ministry?<br />
Not exactly. I do believe the young teens are better served by separate classes, so that the young men and young women can be exhorted and ministered to by a Godly example from their own sex. A man, for all his Godly worth, is not perhaps the best teacher of a young ladies role in the family unit. Maybe I'm just viewing that from the standpoint of someone who has watched far too many faux-Godly men abuse that position and teach deeply false examples of a woman's place in the family. Still, if a young man or young woman has issues of a personal nature, they are more likely to seek counsel from a Godly teacher within their church family, and usually one of the same sex. A teen girl with personal concerns most often seeks the counsel of a woman she trusts, for example. Personal issues are not likely to be spoken out in a youth group of mixed gender, kwim? How many youth meetings have you been in where the call for prayer requests comes in the form of a million hands raised sharing "unspoken" requests? Of course I do not believe unspoken requests are somehow less valuable. Truthfully, I have viewed far too many prayer requests as being nothing more than thinly veiled sharings of gossip among Christian groups. Apparently we believe if we preface it under the label of prayer request it is ok and more socially acceptable as gossip.<br />
Yes, that's a whole other can of worms posting there as well...<br />
<br />
Back to the youth groups specifically...I honestly believe that many of those 'unspoken' requests or pleas for prayer covering, would be shared more openly in a gender specific grouping. Of course this may not always be the case, but I can't help but feel there is a lot lost in terms of ministry in a mixed grouping, especially of those new to Christ.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_SubMain_lblContent" itemprop="text" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.6em;">When
Adam and Eve sinned, God’s perfect plan was perverted by the depravity
in the hearts of men and women. Adam sinned by stepping out from under
God’s authority when he ate the divinely forbidden fruit, and Eve chose
to reject the authority of both Adam and the Lord. One of the
consequences of their sin was the corruption of the complementary
relationship between man and woman. <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Genesis 3.16" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Genesis%203.16" target="_blank">Genesis 3:16</a>
records what the Lord told Eve: “Yet your desire will be for your
husband, and he will rule over you.” The desire Eve would have toward
Adam is not a good kind of desire but a desire to conquer or overcome.
You can see this in <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Genesis 4.7" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Genesis%204.7" target="_blank">Genesis 4:7</a> where the same word describes what sin would do to Cain: “Sin is crouching at the door; and <i>its desire is for you</i>, but you must master it” [emphasis added].<br />
From that time on, one of the expressions of sin in women would be
the tendency to break out of God’s intended supporting and following
role. At the same time, men’s sinful tendency would be to neglect their
responsibility to love and lead their wives, dominating them instead.
God’s perfect plan can be implemented and enjoyed in marriages and
churches only when sinners receive new hearts of humility and obedience.
It is only when men and women submit to God’s way that they will
experience the greatest blessing.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
I fully believe this statement. The Fall produced the society we have today. The Fall produced the modern feminist, and we have built on that idea every day since. Women want to share the place of authority in their homes, and to some degree they do, with God's guidance as well as His Blessings, but it has been feasted upon by the gluttony of the feminist viewpoint for decades upon decades now. It is, since The Fall, a part of our nature to step away from God's Word and to seek the authority for ourselves, both in men and women equally, but it is specifically the out stepping and seeking of the woman that has created the discord in so many families that we see these days.<br />
Yes, I overstep my own role here in a great many ways. I can give plenty of examples as to why my choices are sound, and I can give just as many as to why it is totally out of step with anything God Spoken. I am by no means a feminist flag bearer, but neither am I submissive in nature. I am a fallen woman, barely climbing the walls of the pit I have formed, but still I know enough to recognize that it IS a pit, and that for 99% of the fault, it is my own creation.<br />
A woman is not a doormat for a somehow more superior man in the home. That is a feminist stand. Being submissive, being under authority, has nothing to do with whether or not the man you follow is Godly, nor does it have to do with any idea that the man is "better" or more Godly than the woman. It is simply God's ordained calling and the position HE has chosen among the sexes.<br />
Men are not being taught any Scriptural, Godly example of how to fulfill their own role in marriage and home, and the women certainly are lacking in those teachings as well. These men, sitting under unScriptural teachings, and being encouraged to follow the voices of men rather than seeking the One Voice of God, tend to abuse their positions and create much of the life they have at home, but women, by constantly overstepping their own role, have pushed the lines themselves. Neither is to fully take the blame on themselves. I have seen only a few families in my lifetime that have clear blame on one side only, and I have seen a great many who have the discord they do because they are simply not staying in their God given roles.<br />
<br />
A distinction of Godly roles, in the church or in the home is a lost art.<br />
It isn't taught in the modern church at all. Maybe a few quirky little notations here and there, usually around Mother's Day or Father's Day, and almost always peppered with a lot of gushy emotion, pretty music, and bobbing heads in feigned agreement from the congregation, but by and large, men are not being taught what God wants in a family leader, and women are being lulled into unsubmissive actions by being told their authority is that of equal footing with the men. If a church truly has a God following leader at the helm, it is teaching that there is now, and has always been, distinct gender roles in every aspect of life. The Church is meant to be a tangible view of a living Bible in the community. No, of course no man or woman is perfect this side of The Kingdom, but there is definitely a great deal of difference between a truly Godly man seeking to follow The Lord 100% and to implement His Commandments in life, and one who is merely paying it lip service. Sadly, far too many churches have lip service only.<br />
<br />
Rambling aside, I fully believe woman have a great role to play in the sharing of The Word of God. The woman as a leader is a false teaching among the churches of man, not the Church of God. Sharing His Word, sharing their own understanding of Scripture...I believe they have this role under His Authority, but I do not believe the role is to be played out from the pulpit. Children's Ministry (younger children, as I said above), and in the sharing of understanding among their ladies classes and groups in the church and at home...but not in a mixed meeting of men, and certainly not in a leadership role in the pulpit. That position is only for a man of God, and the woman, no matter how Godly or called, is there in a role of support. I don't believe these situations limit a woman's calling in the least, nor do they lessen her outreach ability or belittle her worth in Christ. Standing in her God given role exalts a women of God, in the church, in the community, and in the home.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_SubMain_lblContent" itemprop="text" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.6em;">From
that time on {after The Fall} one of the expressions of sin in women would be the
tendency to break out of God’s intended supporting and following role.
At the same time, men’s sinful tendency would be to neglect their
responsibility to love and lead their wives, dominating them instead.
God’s perfect plan can be implemented and enjoyed in marriages and
churches only when sinners receive new hearts of humility and obedience.
It is only when men and women submit to God’s way that they will
experience the greatest blessing.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
Some resources I read thru:<br />
<a href="http://www.gty.org/blog/B150220/john-macarthur-on-mens-and-womens-roles" target="_blank">Grace To You: Mens and Womans Roles</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gty.org/resources/distinctives/DD08/the-role-of-women" target="_blank">Grace to You: Roles of Women</a><br />
<a href="http://www.christianpatriot.com/09_15_2003.htm" target="_blank">Christian Patriot: Women as Preachers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Women-Preachers/" target="_blank">KJVOnline: Bible Verses about Women Preachers </a><br />
<a href="http://www.circleofchristianwomen.com/women_pastors.htm" target="_blank">Circle of Christian Women: Can Christian Women be Pastors?</a><br />
<a href="http://circleofchristianwomen.com/can_women_lead.htm" target="_blank">Circle of Christian Women: Prophecy: Women Leaders</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sbclife.net/Articles/1998/05/sla5" target="_blank">SBC Life: Women Pastors: What does the Bible teach?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gty.org/resources/articles/A168/Gods-High-Call-for-Women" target="_blank">Grace to You: God's High Calling for Women</a>, and <a href="http://www.gty.org/resources/study-guide-chapter/54-15/Gods-High-Calling-for-Women-Part-2" target="_blank">Part 2</a>, and <a href="http://www.gty.org/resources/study-guide-chapter/54-16/Gods-High-Calling-for-Women-Part-3" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gty.org/resources/articles/A265/The-Biblical-Portrait-of-Women-Setting-the-Record-Straight" target="_blank">Grace to You: A Biblical Portrait of Women</a><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-81682234332395478172016-04-17T12:28:00.002-05:002016-04-17T12:28:49.186-05:00Around the homestead...<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
been warm around here. Not summer heat kind of warm, but enough to make the
rains we’ve had feel sticky at times. The dogs are not enjoying the rain, the
pups are certainly not enjoying it, but the goats seem to be resigned to the
fact that rain will come every few days at best. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I won't bother telling you about how there will most likely not be a garden space this year. I'm a big old record on repeat with that story. It's been a mud pit out here and I'm already getting behind on mowing, let alone thinking about tilling. I will barter some herbal cuts from friends perhaps, rebuild the raised beds, but that will probably be all there will be. As usual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>In the
Sewing Basket…</b></span>I’ve been working on some peasant style dresses and tops for
summer. A peasant style is one with a wide neckline with encased elastic all
around, and often there is an elastic casing for a high, empire style waistline
as well. They are super comfortable and suit cotton fabrics pretty well in
terms of draping nicely. They are also very forgiving for a round shape (ahem…me…)
and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more easily adjustable fit than this
design. Dress length, short length, shirt length…you can easily adapt it to
whatever need you have. The photo is one I made for Emily a couple years back. Shirt length is nice...I extended it out full length for a summer nightgown for her as well. This general design is what we will be making for Chris and Amber's wedding in mid June. I have the fabrics selected, just tweaking the pattern a bit to fit my round self better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mZlcobLrew/VxO7AlSpaKI/AAAAAAAADX8/9uglkquYQeozTQ1l7raNTIcU7evmKLV7gCLcB/s1600/bernat%2Bthread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mZlcobLrew/VxO7AlSpaKI/AAAAAAAADX8/9uglkquYQeozTQ1l7raNTIcU7evmKLV7gCLcB/s200/bernat%2Bthread.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am also working on rebuilding the dishcloth basket here. I'm splitting my efforts between fabric-backed cloths and some knitted ones. I do up my knit cloths with 2 strands of coordinating colors of the Bernat Handicrafter Thread. This is similar thread to the Aunt Lydias #10 cotton that everyone seems to use for stitching doilies and other delicate edgings. I prefer the Bernat in terms of the thickness and thread quality, and working it in 2 strands gives me so many color combinations, as well as a sturdy, yet not too bulky dishcloth. Plus <b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.joann.com/bernat-handicrafter-crochet-thread/11329521.html" target="_blank">Joann's</a></span></b> has a good sale right now so it's a win-win situation all around, LOL.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>In the Kitchen...</b></span>we have herbal tinctures going, salves being made, and I am working on some essential oil "whips" for the shop as well. I've done up the Pain Away Whip and some Headache Ease Whip and I love them. The oils are easily mixed, and some blends can be found pre-made for use as well. I was using a roller bottle, which I like, but for me they don't seem to be ideal. There is always a bit of seepage I found, not so much you are wasting product, but enough that I am not pleased. Dropping one or two drops of oil can be problematic as well...running off your hand, hard to apply just where you want it, etc. Maybe it's just me and I'm not coordinated enough, LOL. Whatever the case, I wanted something easy to apply right where needed, diluted and ready for use. The perfect choice seemed to be salve, and while I like them done up that was also, I thought more of a whipped lotion might be even better, so I crafted some base, stirred in the oils and blends of choice and voila! I love them. And they are perfect for the tiny tea tins that are sitting here needing a purpose. Too deep for a hard salve, but perfect for a Whip. </div>
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I'd like to say I've been baking and putting that incredible new commercial Kitchen Aid mixer to use, but I haven't yet. I have used it...but not to it's full capacity. I know, I know...what's wrong with me??? This mixer is AWESOME, heavy weight, commercial grade power and quiet like you wouldn't believe. Here is a great video comparing a couple mixers and discussing the perks of the commercial KA if you're interested</div>
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This is what mine looks like...a big, black, shiny beast. I will definitely get years of use from it. My last Kitchen Aid was about 23 years old or so, a professional grade 6 quart. I worked it like a mule almost daily, weekly for sure, for every year I had it. This new one might just replace the monster 20 quart Varimixer I use for the big double batches of our bread recipe. I can easily do a 6 loaf batch in the 8qt Kitchen Aid. Farm Market here we come...loaded with baked goods!!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"> Around the Homestead...</span></b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: black;">I have been cutting back on the Facebook time and enjoying the connection over at Instagram. If you're interested in following me there, <b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/handsnheartsfarm/" target="_blank">here I am</a></span></b>. I am keeping Facebook going because I do have several friends there that are not active anywhere else, plus the Walking Thru Scripture Bible study group, and eventually I will keep the Hands and Hearts Farm shop page updated regularly, but for now, I am here and at Instagram mostly. Summer is just around the corner and I need to be busy with things outside the internet realm if you know what I mean. It's easy to get distracted by the almost instant, all too easy venue of Facebook. It is for me anyway. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: black;">Once the farm market season kicks in, we will be busy with crafting our items during the week, and then at least 2 full days of nothing but baking to keep stocked. I think we will start with a 1 day a week farm market plan and see how that goes. Between Liam here everyday, schooling, regular homestead chores and more, I don't expect we can handle much more than that anyway. </span></span></div>
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<td>I have been back into the letter writing circles again. Our original Pen Friends robin group has grown over its 8 years...or are we into 9 already??...but recently the robins have been slower moving. This year we have one simply robin making the rounds to just 5 of us who have stayed the course with it. I rather like it that way truth be told. It's a closer knit group of friends that way, and we have each been there for almost all of the groups life. It's nice to catch up with everyone, especially as most are not on Facebook, or even blogging regularly. I am looking forward to writing among some other friends as well, but they are busy with LIFE and we don't always keep up. Letter writing is definitely a lost art that not enough people practice anymore. Technology has all but killed off the pen and paper. Still, I love a pretty set of stationary...so so hard to find these days...and a few good pens and some cute little stickers and other embellishments :-) </td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And who doesn't like going to the mailbox and finding a special visit from a friend waiting inside??</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-42203784265159129152016-04-13T11:29:00.001-05:002016-04-13T11:29:29.499-05:00Behind my time as usualIt's Wednesday. Of course you know that, but I somehow missed the fact that Monday and Tuesday went by and I hadn't posted this week's Walk Thru Scripture. I had to get set up with things to travel up to Indianapolis last week and I have been behind my time ever since. It was a very *<i>very* </i>long drive up and back in one shot. I finally got home Sunday morning in time to hit my bed after 24 hours of driving time. I could easily have stopped along the road on the way home and slept a bit. It was a miserable time, and I actually love driving.<br />
<br />
Trust me when I say if my backside didn't have to be back in the van every morning to pick up the grandson, I wouldn't be driving anywhere for a while. He's lucky he's a cutie patootie.<br />
<br />
However, in my walking zombie state Sunday...and Monday...and apparently Tuesday...I piled my desk with Dewey's office things brought home with my, misplaced the reading schedule for the Walk Thru Scripture under it all, and...<br />
<br />
Truly I am still recouping my conherency from that blasted long drive. Only good part was I got to see my husband for lunch up there before we parted ways yet again, and I blew thru 2 audiobooks on the drive.<br />
<br />
Here is this week's reading...<br />
1 Samuel 15-17<br />
1 Samuel 18-20, Psalm 11, 59<br />
Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52<br />
Psalm 56, 120, 140-142<br />
1 Samuel 25-27<br />
Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63<br />
<br />
And just so you don't all bail on this endeavor completely because of my apparent lack of methodology here, here is the assignments for next week April 17-23... <br />
1 Samuel 28-31 and Psalm 18<br />
Psalm 121, 123-125, 128-130<br />
2 Samuel 1-4<br />
Psalm 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21<br />
1 Chronicles 1-2<br />
Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87<br />
1 Chronicles 3-5<br />
<br />
You are welcome, as always, to join the Facebook group for our reading. We haven't had much discussion at all along the way. Perhaps if I get my act together here I can instigate some conversation there. I am also working on sharing more at Instagram and lightening my addiction to Facebook for a bit. We will be starting some farm market stuff soon so I needed to trim my Facebook cord a bit. Apparently I have quite an addictive personality and I get far too sucked into the vortex of Facebook quite easily.<br />
<br />Yes, moderation is one of my lacking filters.<br />
<br />
There you have it. Other than being plum useless this week thanks to my foggy brain from the day on the road, I have been sewing, reading, playing with yarn, and tending those pups. The Man of the Homestead will be home tonight but has to hit the road again Monday. Hopefully some of the continually growing LIST here can be tackled while he's home. We'll see how that goes.<br />
<br />
What's up in your neck of the woods this week?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-20569862469150389812016-04-03T18:30:00.000-05:002016-04-03T18:25:32.559-05:00Homestead How-to: Homemade Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTW5IxcK1qE/T1qYgLsuzZI/AAAAAAAABj8/XazWFIRP01Y/s1600/noodles9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTW5IxcK1qE/T1qYgLsuzZI/AAAAAAAABj8/XazWFIRP01Y/s320/noodles9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>There are plenty of recipes out there for making your own pasta. This is just how we do it. Here is our original post here about the noodles, with current pictures added in.</i></div>
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Here's our new recipe:<br />
3 cups flour (<i>I have used bread flour, Prairie Gold, and a combination of the two</i>)<br />
6 eggs (<i>I just use the whole egg, some
prefer only the yolk</i>)<br />
6 Tbs water<br />
A pinch of salt
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Our big batch noodles is:<br />
30 cups flour<br />
5 dozen (60) eggs<br />
3 3/4 cups water
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2vnp6zqbYU/T1qXmR4Z2dI/AAAAAAAABi8/lqzHY4bCAI4/s1600/Noodles1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2vnp6zqbYU/T1qXmR4Z2dI/AAAAAAAABi8/lqzHY4bCAI4/s320/Noodles1.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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We start by dumping the flour and the salt into a large bowl. Making a 'well' in the middle of the flour, we start adding the eggs in. Once the eggs are in, we start stirring in the flour, pulling more into the eggs until we have it all worked in.</div>
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One of the keys to pasta dough is<i> don't be afraid of the flour! </i>A common mistake is to not add enough flour, resulting a very sticky, hard to handle, dough. I'm sure there is a point where you can add too much flour, but I haven't found it yet. I am very free with the flour. Probably comes from being a naturally messy baker :-)<br />
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Once you have your dough mixed into a nice ball, we let it rest for a bit. Not really sure why...just was always told to. You know how that goes. After several minutes of resting, I divide the dough into manageable sized portions so it's easier to roll out without the dough drying too much. As you roll out each portion, keep a lightly dampened towel, or saran wrap, over the remaining dough portions. You don't want them to form a 'crust' while you tend to each batch in turn.<br />
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We generally roll ours using my hand-crank roller, but you can easily roll them by hand on a floured board (<i>again, abandone your fear of too much flour! Flour your rolling pin or dough surface well and repeatedly</i>) then cut using a sharp pointed knife. A typical pasta machine will only produce a flat sheet of pasta dough you can then use in various ways. My machine, <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marcato-Atlas-Wellness-Pasta-Stainless/dp/B0009U5OSO">an Atlas</a></span>, has an attachment for cutting narrow spaghetti like pasta, as well as a slightly wider, fettucini style pasta. I can also simply roll the dough to the desired thickness and hand-cut using a knife or pizza cutter, or use the pasta wheel that has adjustable width cutters that create a fluted edge. Any width can be cut by hand, from a lasagna noodle to a spaghetti noodle, but I admit the spaghetti noodle is difficult and tedious to cut by hand. I can also roll the dough, then cut into large 'boxes'...a tablespoon of cheese or cooked sausage and the like, topped with another' box' and crimp to seal. Voila! Homemade ravioli! Delicious!<br />
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Homemade noodles will cook up about twice their thickness, so unless you are wanting a flat dumpling (<i>which are excellent additions to soups and stews</i>), roll out as thin as you can before cutting (1/16 inch). The hand-roller can be set to any setting to get your chosen thickness. I like to run each portion through twice per setting. For a more egg noodle like result, we roll at each setting up to 3 or 4. For a more delicate pasta, such as spaghetti, I will roll out to a setting of 5. the higher the setting, the thinner the resulting noodle will be. You can 'skip' settings once you have gotten to say a 4, but up to that thickness, you'll want to do it number-by-number to avoid forcing too much dough thru the crank. And keep that dough floured. It is a total pain to clean stuck dough from the rollers while in the middle of working a batch of noodles. <i>Don't ask how I know this, just go with my, ahem, experience.</i><br />
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For a 'shaped' pasta, such as elbow macaroni, you will want a <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=toolbar-instant&hl=en&ion=1&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS431US432#q=pasta+extruder&hl=en&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS431US432&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=2qVaT8HbMYvBtgfnpP2EDA&sqi=2&ved=0CKgBEK0E&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=d46e95b5c5e17243&biw=1366&bih=582&ion=1">pasta extruder</a></span>. The extruder works on the same principle as a meat grinder...you put a portion of dough into the hopper, turn a crack and force the pasta dough thru a die into various shapes depending on the die used. I don't have an extruder, but would like one. We get by with just the 'flat' pasta here, and I stock the pantry with plain elbow macaroni, but it would be nice to mix up the shapes for fun once in a while. And some dishes just deserve a shaped pasta to hold in all that great homemade sauce, kwim?<br />
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I take my cut noodles and hang them for a while on my rack. Yes, that is a regular, plastic-coated wooden clothes drying rack. You can easily wrap the bars in plastic wrap to use an existing rack. I don't dry clothes on this one, it's my pasta-only rack.<br />
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As the noodles dry, which varies given the air/weather conditions, they will become stiff then brittle. they tend to break off the rack rather easily by this point so we pull the noodles off and I lay them out on butcher paper to finish drying. To speed this along, I usually lay them somewhere with some heat/warmth. This recent batch, I laid the butcher paper on some cookie sheets and put them on the top of the warming oven of my cookstove. They were totally dry, meaning brittle like your regular store-bought pasta, in a few hours thanks to the gentle heat from the warming oven and stove pipe.<br />
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You can use your homemade pasta as soon as it has dried slightly and is easily handled. To cook your pasta, bring your water to a full, rolling boil first then add your pasta. Anything less than a hard boil and you may end up with a pasta that tastes over-cooked and squishy. The hard rolling boil really helps fresh pasta.<br />
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To store your dried pasta, pack it in whatever container works best for you. Something air-tight is best, to prevent the pasta from picking up moisture from the air. If the pasta hasn't fully dried to the 'brittle' stage, you can store it in the freezer. We usually pack ours into a 5 gallon bucket. Homemade pasta will keep *<i>if totally dry</i>* for about 6 months...we never manage to keep them that long :o) I have to make a few batches a year, and I try to do it during the winter if I am wanting to store it. <br />
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As easy as homemade pasta is to make though, you can easily whip up a batch in the morning for a fresh pasta dish that evening!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-32603676540557999902016-03-29T08:35:00.000-05:002016-03-29T08:35:05.359-05:00Revisiting the Pantry Stock PostAs I am reworking the necessary list here this week, I thought I'd pull my stock listing that started me off on the last truly mega pantry supply. I will keep it as it was back in October 2009, with my original notes in <span style="color: #cc0000;">red</span> from that post and my new thoughts in <b><span style="color: #38761d;">green</span></b>. Enjoy!<br />
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * </div>
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>With
the list below and our garden food, cow meat, our milk cow,
chickens(meat and eggs) will give us over a years supply of food. I’ll
buy things here and there, but not much. I cook from scratch, so you may
or may not use what’s on my list. Over the years I have found lots of
ways to make different things, with a little in store. Example: elbow
noodles can be used in soups,mac and cheese, spag. I have other things
stored, but this is our MUST HAVE list. And I have been stocking up now
for over a year, so please don’t let this overwhelm you and you feel
it’s to late, because it’s never to late. </b></span><b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Just start slow and easy, buy a few extra things here and there. Some stored food is better than none.</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">This
doesn't include meats, which ideally would be solved by raising
chickens and meat rabbits on the homestead, hunting and fishing whenever
possible, and saving for larger meat purchases to add to any regular
purchases.<br />The best money we spent was on the 300# of meat we bought
from a local butcher. Doing it again, I would go for 200# of stew
chunks as they can so nicely and have a lot of menu uses, and I'd go
with 200# of their sausage as we used it in place of regular ground
meat, and stick to just 100# of ground. We canned all of it but 10# of
stewing chunks, which makes it twice as handy ;o)<br />We also did up a lot of bacon when bought on sale (those 10# boxes for $1/pound).<br />Tuna is something else I'd stock, several normal store cans, as well as several of the large cans from Sam's.<br />I
stock chicken, beef and ham base (the large, 1# containers) and we use
it alot. I make up our own cream soups as needed for recipes, add it as
stock to cooking and just for flavor enhancing in a lot of meals. I
need at least 4 chicken and 4 beef in the pantry each year, and usually 1
ham will get me by. I need to get more on top of canning my own
stocks, though.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Wow have I gotten lazy! I don't use a lot of cream soup anymore, but the little I do use, I buy the cans and haven't made my own in quite some time. That will change! We just don't eat like that anymore, and you aren't going to cook from scratch from a more healthy standpoint by using processed can goods!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></b></span> <br />
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>Yeast: 3 lbs.</b> ( this should last us over a year, used to make bread)<span style="color: #660000;">
This would only be about 1/2 a year, maybe, for us. We easily use 6#
yearly here, I like to have 8#. I buy at Sam's, when I open a package, I
have a container in the fridge for daily use, and a canning jar to hold
the rest in the freezer. Kept in the frezer, I've had yeast go well
over a year with very limited trouble in proofing.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Still at a good base of 8# of yeast a year, even with our baking routine changed up in the past years. </span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>Flour: 35- 5lbs. bags</b>
( we don’t have a grain grinder yet, but it’s on my wish list, so for
now I buy flour. And I will most likely need to buy more before years
out, due to not lasting for more than a year.) <span style="color: #660000;">Hmmm...I
try not to buy 5# bags if I can help it, just because we use alot of
flour. I buy Prairie Gold in 50# bags, and we keep wheat berries in the
pantry for grinding, though I prefer the finer texture of the store
bought PG to my grinding with the Family Mill. I need to get over that.
On average, I'd say we need to stock around 7 bags for our use, and if
I had money and wishes, I'd go for closer to10# for a more permanent
storage supply. We freeze all grains for a week in the chest freezers,
then store in 5 gallon buckets.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I am always running out of flour here :-/ And no, I still haven't gotten over the not liking the more gritty texture of the hand-ground thru my Family Mill :-/ I need to stock at least 10 of the 50# bags, a mix of bread flour (we haven't used all purpose in over 20 years) and some good white wheat.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>Sugar: 42-5lbs. bags</b>
( yes, this is a lot of sugar, but not really when you start making
jellies and will most likely need more before the year is out.) <span style="color: #660000;">If
I buy regular sugar or fructose, it's in 25# or 50# bags, and we go
through about 4 yearly (with leftovers...maybe 3 bags total usage). I
need to get away from the white sugars, period. I'd like to get more
used to honey and molasses in our baking, and raw sugar. Still, iced
tea just has to have white sugar :o)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>We stopped all sweet tea and Kool Aid here 2 years ago now. I could probably get by with just 50# of sugar a year, but I would prefer it be something other white. We don't use a lot, and what we do sweeten in baking we have gone over to molasses or honey. What I really need is 3 5 gal pails of molasses and at least 1 5 gal pail of good honey, LOL</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>Lard: 50 lbs. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #660000;">I can go through 60# of lard in just under a year. I would still want some regular canola or olive oil.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">I use very little lard anymore, and even less of vegetable shortening. A single large can would do me well for the year. What I need is a lot of olive oil and a lot of coconut oil. Between kitchen use and my salve making, I am currently going thru 8 gal of EVOO and 8 gal of coconut oil. And that's being conservative with it.</span></b></span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>Salt: a full 5 gallon bucket </b>( we try and keep extra, in case we need to salt down meat to keep it good. I would like one more bucket, well it’s on list.) <span style="color: #660000;">Honestly,
aside from what she mentioned about salting down meat (which might be
something we do as a preparedness thing later) we don't use alot of
salt, period. A 5 gallon bucket...oh my, I'd have salt forever! We buy
sea salt, regular little "morton salt can" sized, and it will last over
6 months here.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, a 5 gal bucket of salt would still have great prepper potential, but we use barely 1 regular container of iodized table salt a year here. I am looking more at the better salts right now...</span></span></span></b></div>
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<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>dry powered milk: 10 big boxes= 50 made gallons </b>(there is so much you can do with this, and we LOVE the hot cocoa mix.) <span style="color: #660000;">I
never have enough powdered milk here. And the prices just went up $2 a
box on the large ones I noticed. We have the goats, but powdered milk
is just plain good common sense in the pantry, so definitely at least 10
large boxes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Still never have enough powdered milk or powdered buttermilk around here. I would up my need to around 15 of the really large boxes of milk these days. Time to start looking at perhaps getting a couple of the 5-6 gal pails of powdered milk I think.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>instant oatmeal packets: a full 5 gallon bucket (</b>you say instant? Well they were on a great sale and well mine like a little flavor now and then)<span style="color: #660000;">I
might be willing to put in some of this, but we buy oatmeal in 50# bags
and I could easily use 4 bags in a year, between eating and baking. It
is a main breakfast staple here. The bags are put in the freezer for a
week, then kept in 5 gallon buckets.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I do have some no-bake cookies we use instant oatmeal for, but even so, a single large container would last all year. Old fashioned rolled oats are another story. I would still get 4 of the 50# bags. In fact I have a trip up north coming soon and will stock this from our Amish friends up there. It's still around $20-25 a bag, way less than half of the going price locally here.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>rice: 60+ lbs. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">We
could use plenty of rice, though I tend to buy white rice most often.
I'm moving us slowly to brown rice (weaning us to it with half
white/half brown in recipes. I have a starch-eater group here, rice and
pasta and potatoes we never keep enough of on hand! And it's a great
meal-stretcher. Easily 60# in the pantry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I'm still mixing brown and white together, and we still don't use a lot of it. The brown doesn't have the storage time with out proper packaging. My rice will start being vacuum sealed for better storage.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>elbow noodles: 30 lbs. </b>( use this for mac &cheese, soups, spag.) <span style="color: #660000;">Starch-eaters...we
make egg noodles, I'm getting better at making other pasta's with the
hand roller, but elbows? I would buy every time I found a good sale,
and work toward having A LOT of boxes stored away of elbows, bowties,
shells and spaghetti just for variety. At least 2 boxes weekly...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I stock up on cases of the cheap white pasta at Save A Lot or Aldi still. We always have elbows and spaghetti on hand, and I try to keep a few bags of egg noodles and some lasagna on the shelves as well. Again, lazy...I can easily make a batch of egg or lasagna on an as-needed basis and I usually don't. Something else that needs to change.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>fruit cocktail: 10- #10 cans </b>( these were a blessing from someone)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I do keep about 10 of the large, #10 cans of fruit on the shelves here for quick desserts. Peaches especially.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>tomato sauce: 15 oz. cans- 30 </b>( used in homemade spag. sauce, chili, pizzas, soups)<span style="color: #660000;">
I try to keep at least 8 #10 cans of tomato 'stuff' iinthe
pantry...diced, sauce, crushed, etc. We found a deal on mixed
spaghetti sauce and I still have 4 cans in there, same with some
premixed pizza sauce. The largest supply in my gardens is usually
tomatoes as we use them in virtually everything.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>No garden, and not always a good price on case loads at farmers market, so store-bought it is. I haven't tried to 're can' the large #10 cans of tomato sauce and cut up tomatoes at all, so for my money I buy cases of the largest regular cans I can get. There is always a supply of Rotel, plain cut up, sauce, paste, and juice in my pantry. No idea really exactly how much I keep on hand, but the quantity is substantial as we use it several times a week. I also keep a couple of the large tomato base containers (from the Mexican/ethnic food aisle at WalMart) to add to tomato base soups and such for added umph!</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>lemon juice: 9- 1qt. bottles </b>(use in making cheeses, putting fruit in, making jams)<span style="color: #660000;"> I like a good dozen of the largest bottles I can find.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>mixed vegetable: 14 oz cans=30 and #10 cans=4 </b>(
we love beef veg. soup, so in late fall I make big batches of soup and
can it for the winter. I use our beef ribs as meat for soup, as we like
the pork ribs better. And the beef ribs take up more room in the
freezer. I use these veg’s. to save a little time, and it still works
out cheaper then buying soup in cans.) <span style="color: #660000;">I
could never grow enough to keep this group in veggies...#10 cans are
all I stock in the pantry for uses when the home canned are gone. Corn,
peas, green beans, mixed...I would try to keep at least 12 cans of each
if I could. Each #10 can works out to 2 meals of veggies for us if
eating plain.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I still keep a minimum of 10 each of the large #10 cans of veggies in the pantry...corn, peas, green beans, mushrooms, mixed, etc.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>tomato juice: 18= 46 oz cans </b>( for drinking and adding to soups) <span style="color: #660000;">I
can tomato juice, V8 blend, and diced tomatoes, even if I have to use
farm market tomatoes. Juice can be used in so many things. If I made
chili once a month just in the winter/autumn months, I would need a
dozen of the large cans, so for a year supply, I'd at least double that.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>This could be tripled and I'd still likely run out. </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>pork and beans: 20 cans </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">I tend to keep 4 #10 pork-n-beans or Bush's Baked Beans in stock, and about a dozen of the #10 chili beans.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>kidney beans: 24 cans </b>( just for chili, hubby is only one who eats it.) </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>molasses: 6- 12 oz jars </b>( cooking) <span style="color: #660000;">we
bought 5 quarts from the Amish last year, and I found 3 quarts at
another farm market...we used it all in short order. I think we would
need to keep a dozen quarts at least. Right now I can't find
any...anywhere. I need to check with the Amish again, but the stores
simply don't have anything aside from the small jars of Brer rabbit or
Grandma's...they just don't last at all here in that small amount.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I can find quarts of homemade molasses if I look around the Amish community. I need to just bite the bullet and go for a few gallon pails of it.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>If I do order, it will likely be from here<span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://www.goldenbarrel.com/shop/" target="_blank"> Golden Barrel</a> <span style="color: #38761d;">My 'pause' when I think of ordering is the high cost of shipping these days. Still, they have great prices, and unless I find something local in the quantities I need, I may have to just bite the bullet and go for it.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span></b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>cocoa: 8 lbs.</b>( for homemade brownies, hot cocoa, cookies, cakes) <span style="color: #660000;">I
buy the large ones at Sam's usually. We use 2 a year just in baking.
Count in hot cocoa and I would need to have about 8# as Becky suggests.
It keeps very well, so I'd like to stock more.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I do need more than just a couple. I have started keeping 8-10 containers on hand.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>cans of fruit(peaches, pineapples, etc.): 29 cans </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">I
usually only buy peaches in the #10 cans unless I have some canned up
myself. We used to be able to find apple slices and blueberry in the
large cans as well, like for pie filing. They made terrific cobblers.
Without my own fruit trees, or a neighbor handy to get fresh, I would
stock at least 6 #10 cans for desserts.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>tomato paste: 2-#10 cans and 6 little cans</b> ( used in soups, spag. and sauces) </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>bisquick: 16 lbs.</b>(
I know a boxed a mix, but hubby makes breakfast and he like using this
for only pancakes and a chicken coating. And if I can come in from
milking to hot cakes, it’s ok.) </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>ketchup: 4 bottles </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">I
buy ketchup, mustard and even BBQ sauce in the large commercial tubs at
WalMart or Sam's and store it in jars in the fridge once opened. I
suppose it might be more practical for long-term storage to do smaller
bottles, though. A year would probably be 3 or 4 of each in the large
tub size.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>pancake syrup: 9 bottles </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">we
make our own syrup for breakfast, but I do buy syrup for the granola
(the homemade tends to be runnier in granola and it doesn't have the
same taste. we could get by with 4 or 5 bottles a year and still have
leftovers, unless I started making granola far more often.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I don't make it from scratch as much as I used to. I need to get back to that. We still don't use very much outside of granola, so a case of 8-12 bottles would do nicely for a year.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Ideally, I'd have an awesome winter and learn to tap my trees LOL</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>rolled oats: 25 lbs.</b> ( used for baking, eating and cookies) <span style="color: #660000;">it's listed up there with the other oatmeal...we do 50# bags here.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>peanut butter: 17 jars </b>( life is good if you have enough PB&J) <span style="color: #660000;">I
could buy 7# tubs back north, and we used at least 5 a year. The large
Peter Pan commercial cans at WalMart aren't bad, and they keep a long
time (if you can keep PB a long time...we usually can't). Between
eating and baking needs, I would like to put in at least 6 large
containers in the pantry....and try making my own at least once ;o)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I made my own...I wasn't as impressed as I expected to be. Still, I won't discount it at a future date. We were buying it from our Amish friends, a large 5# tub, and using 4-6 a year. I think we need more.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>spag. noodles: 20 lbs.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>baking soda: 15 lbs. <span style="color: #660000; font-weight: normal;">(see below)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>between baking, cat litter needs, household uses, and barn uses, I easily go thru about 8 of the large bags from WalMart's pool supply section.</b></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>corn starch: 12- #10 cans</b> ( someone gave us, but stores just about forever, I will not use this much in a year, maybe not even 5 years.) <span style="color: #660000;">baking soda and baking powder are something we use alot of. Soda gets <a href="http://gomestic.com/home/50-everyday-uses-for-baking-soda/" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">used with so many things </a>it's
foolish not to keep plenty of it on hand. I buy the large bags at
Sam's and we can go through at least 4 of them a year without even
trying hard! Baking powder is used fairly often as well, with our
baking, and I tend to keep at least 3 of the large containers from Sam's
on hand. Cornstarch isn't used as often. I have 3 of the large
plastic containers from WalMart in the pantry...that's a good year's
worth for us.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>powder sugar: 8-#10 cans </b>(someone gave us, and will not use this all in a year, but stores a long time.)<span style="color: #660000;">
I've made my own, using the coffee grinder, in a pinch, but for
frostings that just isn't the same texture. I usually keep 4 bags from
Sam's in the freezer.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I buy 2 of the 10-1-20# bags (I can't recall what the size is now..must be at least 20#) from Sam's Club here.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>BBQ sauce: 15 bottles </b>( on sale at $ .50 each, this was all that was left. Used for BBQ – Ribs.)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>honey: 3 qts.</b>( cooking and eating) <span style="color: #660000;">let's
just say I need some fruit trees and some bee hives myself. We use
alot and it's just plain expensive! If and when I can, I buy 2 at a
time at Sam's. I could easily have a dozen here and still need more in a
year. What does that say about us...we like things sweet. Need to
work on that, too.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>can potato slices: 24 cans </b>( if you drain them, then fry in butter and onions, on very good. a good sale on them.) <span style="color: #660000;">I
have a mixed issue here... I can buy #10 cans and they are great for
potato salad, etc. however, I can buy 50# bags of potatoes and can up my
own. I would stock the #10 cans, maybe 6 a year, if the budget opened
up, but my money is better spent for 50# bags...and no, I can't grow
enough for what we use here. I'd have to devote at least an acre to
just potatoes. We are big on starches...but we are changing that. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I do like canned potatoes on hand, and we still go thru way more white potatoes than most do, but we are using more sweet potatoes now than before and they store a LONG time. Last year we went thru 8 50# bags of red potatoes, and 6 40# cases of large sweet potatoes. My aunt gave us some dehydrated potatoes she had and I would definitely buy them and use in the pantry myself.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>pop corn: 10 lbs.</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">
I buy the large bags (25#?) at Sam's and we use them mostly for
grinding for cornmeal (delicious buttery flavor) and it's autumn...we
like carmel corn :o) I would think we could get by with 4 bags a year,
but if that's the only cornmeal I had, I'd want maybe another bag.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>grits: 5 lbs.</b>( should last a year, hubby is the only one to eat them.) <span style="color: #660000;">umm...none. I'm not a grits kind of person.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>barley: 2- #10 cans </b>( used in soups, and side dish) <span style="color: #660000;">I need to incorporate this more into our soups and stews.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>spag. sauce: 15- 26 oz cans </b>( this is the smaller can and we always doctor it up and add more, it’s used a a base.)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Yes, I buy spaghetti sauce. And I buy LOTS of it. In just a normal month I can easily go thru a dozen or more cans. I need a lot to store for a year.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>pizza sauce: 9 jars</b> ( time saver. I make the Mozz. and crusts for homemade pizzas. The jar is only a dollar and makes 3-4 pizzas) <span style="color: #660000;">I
lump this in with tomato products (above) but she has a good point --
if I'm making cheese and crusts by scratch, the canned sauces on sale
would be a good deal and a time-saver. And it saves on my
already-strained tomato needs here. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>hash browns: 4-#10 cans </b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>instant potatoes: 2-#10 cans</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>chocolate pudding instant: 4- #10 cans </b>( someone gave us, and it’s ok)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>can peas: 10 </b>( the only way to get my family to eat peas is in soups and to make cheesy peas( using my canned cheese sauce). <span style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>mayonnaise: 5 jars</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>sweet relish: 3 jars</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>can mushrooms: 7 </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">I
can use a ton of mushrooms here. They used to have #10 cans for a
decent price at Sam's but like everything, that's gone up.
Storage-wise, unless I have something major planned, or a week of menu
goodies I could add them to, the #10 can isn't practical. But, a few
cases of the large store can buttons/slices would be great to have. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>evaporated milk: 18 cans </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"> <span style="color: #660000;">I
like to keep some on hand, and 18 cans sounds like a good number. We
use little for baking really, but it is good in an emergency.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>both vinegar: 8 gallons</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;">
I use alot of vinegar -- the chickens get some in their water daily
during the hot months, so do the goats. Smart-mouths get a spoonful
around here. It's a good thing to have on hand. I could easily see
needing 8 gallons...probably more.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I need way more than just 8 gallons for a year. We use the ACV for household as well as barn use. I buy goof organic with the mother for drinking use (Good Girl Moonshine...). I would like to see about 20 gallons of both ACV and white in the pantry, and at least a dozen of Bragg's Organic.</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>veg. oil: 10 bottles </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;">I
use olive oil most often, and could use several jugs in a year. I
would like to have 12 jugs in the pantry, but could probably get by on
less if I watched my usage closer.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>shortening in cans: 6</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>vanilla: 6 bottles </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;">My
mother just ordered vanilla for me...it was a slight mistake, and cost
$45 for the gallon! I don't spend $45 on a gallon of vanilla. This is
some Madagascar Bourbon vanilla...oh wow does it smell absolutely
heavenly....still, $45 a gallon? That bottle will last a l-o-n-g time
because at that price, it's going to be handled very frugally! Normal,
run of the mill vanilla, I can use 2 gallons a year.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Still using 2 of the gallons a year. I need to just invest in some good beans and a few bottles of liquor and make my own.</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>baking powder: 6 cans</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;"> (noted above)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>minimum of a dozen large containers a year here.</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>onion powder: 8 bottles </b>(
we use powders instead of those mixed with salt, you get more for your
money. And we use them daily. I might have to buy more. To spice up a
grilled cheese add the onion and garlic powder, it’s a great change.) <span style="color: #660000;">Dewey
bought several spices in those large containers (1# I believe) last
year, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, etc. We use them alot. I
also have 4 oz jars of cayenne pepper (they were $2 each...check out
the spice section at WalMart, bottom shelf, it's a glass jar and way
cheaper than buying the mainline spices like Tone's and such). I need
to put the dehydrator to work because we use tons of dried, minced
onions here. And minced garlic. I keep 4 of the containers of minced
garlic in olive oil on hand.If I had a 50# of dried onions and minced
garlic it wouldn't be enough here.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>garlic powder: 8 bottles</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>cinnamon: 8 bottles</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>seasoned salt: 5 bottles</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>spray Pam bottles: 6 ( </b>don’t usually buy, but they were on a great sale)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>Hershey’s syrup: 5 bottles</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>dried potato slices, instant mashed potatoes: 14 boxes</b> ( used on busy nights )</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>box cake mixes: 15</b> ( these were on sale too) <span style="color: #660000;">we
prefer cakes from scratch, however, sometimes around a big baking
season, cake mixes hit rock bottom sale prices and I will buy several --
yellow, chocolate, spice, etc. Very rarely do I buy frosting, but if
it's on a great sale, I'll get some.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>tubs of frosting: 6 </b>( I have not master this from scratch yet, and will need to buy more)</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>powdered Gatorade( big cans, makes 6 gallons each): 7 </b>( this is so great for everyone, for when their sick or out in the sun) <span style="color: #660000;">My
stock up here would be at least 4 of these, and plenty of tea bags for
iced tea...chamomile and other flavors to blend into the regular tea as
well.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Off one of the other lists, here is the non-food prep items listed:</span></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li>one manual can opener</li>
<li>two bottles of camp stove fuel <span style="color: #660000;">I
don't need this, however, I need kerosene or lamp oil. I need to find a
good way to store kerosene longer term than just a gas can. The
gallons are a bit pricey, but during heating season, I do stock the 1
gal. Klean Heat kerosene from Home Depot. We use this in our oil lamps
for the main lighting during the winter.</span></li>
<li>100 rounds of .22lr ammo <span style="color: #660000;">I'm
not going to say much beyond stock plenty. Stock for what you
currently have and use, stock other popular rounds for barter later on.
'Nuf said.</span></li>
<li>25 rounds of 12 ga birdshot or small game loads</li>
<li>20 rounds of Monarch 7.62x39 ammo</li>
<li>a spool of 12lb test monofilament fishing line <span style="color: #660000;">practical and needed. Stock more than you think you need of all your fishing supplies.</span></li>
<li>2 packages of hooks and some sinkers or corks.</li>
<li>artificial lure</li>
<li>two packages of soft plastic worms</li>
<li>three Bic Lighters or two big boxes of matches</li>
<li>A package of tea lights <span style="color: #660000;">I
wouldn't, but I might be tempted to put in a decent supply of the
emergency candles and even some of the insta-heat gel burners.</span></li>
<li>50 ft of para cord</li>
<li>a roll of duct tape<span style="color: #660000;"> more than a roll, that's for sure. there are just too many uses for it.</span></li>
<li>a box of nails or other fasteners</li>
<li>a flashlight <span style="color: #660000;">the practical side of tradtitional flashlights is ok, but long-term, go for a solar charge or hand-crank one.</span></li>
<li>two D-batteries, four AA or AAA batteries or two 9v batteries <span style="color: #660000;">think barter and stock plenty.</span></li>
<li>a toothbrush and tooth paste<span style="color: #660000;">
I stock at least 3 per person each year. When you go through an
illness, get rid of the old toothbrush when you are over it. Toothpaste
is fine, but there are other things you can use (like that baking
soda...) without all the chemicals and sugars in it.</span></li>
<li>a bag of disposable razors <span style="color: #660000;">and plenty of single-edge blades...they have several uses.</span></li>
<li>eight bars of ivory soap (it floats) <span style="color: #660000;">lots
and lots of soap. I'd go for Kirk's Castile as it has a myriad of
usess (shampoo, body, laundry and dishes), maybe some Lava...stock all
the Fels Naptha you can find, if you can find it.</span></li>
<li>a box or tampons or bag of pads for the ladies <span style="color: #660000;">I'm
not altogether on this band wagon just yet, but seriously, with 5
daughters on the homestead (albeit young ones still) you are talking
about stocking ALOT...would be far healthier and more practical for
long-term to go cloth.</span></li>
<li>two gallons of bleach <span style="color: #660000;">you
need to keep more bleach than just 2 gallons, jsut for the practical
uses. yes, there are other cleaners to use, but this is something handy
for water storage as well.</span></li>
<li>needles and thread <span style="color: #660000;">all
sewing supplies need stocked, even if you don't sew. Needles, thread,
buttons, snaps, good ol' Velcro...fabrics, of course, if you are a
stitcher. Repairs are needed alot of a working homesteader's clothing.</span></li>
<li>a ball of yarn <span style="color: #660000;">I'm
a crocheter...socks, hats, mittens, blankets, shawls, etc. I need some
sheep and someone to teach me to spin my own, but in the meantime, I'd
stock some here and there.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>OTC Medications (at Dollar General)</b><br />
<ul>
<li>2 bottles 1000 count 500 mg generic Tylenol (acetometaphin)</li>
<li>2 bottles 500 count 200 mg generic advil (ibuprofen)</li>
<li>2 boxes 24 cound 25 mg generic Benadryl (diphenhydramine HCI)--also available at walgreens under "sleep aids."</li>
<li>4 bottles 500 count 325 mg aspirin</li>
<li>2 boxes of generic sudafed</li>
<li>4 bottles of alcohol</li>
<li>a box of bandages (4x4)</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #660000;">I'm
not big on OTC's in general, however they do serve a purpose and the
barter potential is high as well. Tylenol, baby aspirin, Benadryl,
triple antiobiotic ointment, peroxide, alcohol, bandages of all sizes,
stretch wraps in various sizes, qtips, cotton balls, etc. Buy a little
of everything in a good first aid box and be prepared. Potassium, fish
oil, garlic pills, vitamins...that's about all the OTC's we have on hand
here usually. I have several of the largest bottles of hand sanitizer
in stock as well as several small ones. I'd like to get a garden going
(yeah, wouldn't I!) for herbs to make up <a href="http://www.suesherbalheaven.com/List.html" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">needed salves and such</a> as well.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #38761d;">I have several herbs in stock and have been making a lot of tinctures and salves for use here at home. We are doing away with even more Rx items and I'm thrilled with the results so far. I am learning a great deal thru my courses at <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><a href="http://herbalacademyofne.com/" target="_blank">Herbal Academy</a></b></i></span> and <a href="https://vintageremedies.com/" target="_blank"><i><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Vintage Remedies</span></b></i></a>. Well worth the study time!</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">And
as several sites have suggested, if you are looking at stocking up for
preparedness' sake, don't forget the animals...and the fun stuff for
free time, yourself and the children...<br />I can only stock so much hay
in the barn, so a more practical effort would be in setting up some
pasture area here to at least gather some of our own. Same goes for
feed needs. You can only stock, and keep well, so much grain and feed.<br />Fun
stuff...puzzles, games, word searches/crossword puzzles, lots of books,
some crafting bits and pieces. I would go more for the sorts of things
that will encourage and spark personal imagination than I would
actually "toys" though. Toys aren't all bad, mind you, but if your
children can't take the simple, most basic items and create their own
fun, they have problems, and they will get bored...very quickly...and
expect something new to entice them. Get out of that trap as fast as
you can and build their confidence with their own creativity and
imaginations.<br />Don't know how to get creative yourself? Here are some
great references to have on hand for when you don't have (or want) the
internet to do the work for you:<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0879234490?ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0879234490" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The American Boy's Handy Book</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Girls-Handy-Book-Nonpareil/dp/0879236663/ref=pd_sim_b_2" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The American Girl's Handy Book</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Field-Forest-Handy-Book-Nonpareil/dp/1567921655/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Field and Forest Handy Book</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Book-Camp-Lore-Woodcraft-American-Handy/dp/1567923526/ref=pd_sim_b_5" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Book of Camp-Lore and Woodcraft</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Handy-Farm-Devices-Make-Them/dp/1599213257/ref=pd_sim_b_3" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Handy Farm Devices and How To Build Them</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mountainman-Crafts-Skills-Illustrated-Wilderness/dp/1599213435/ref=pd_sim_b_4" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Mountain Man Crafts and Skills</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Skills-Crafts-Outdoorsmans-Shelters/dp/1602391483/ref=pd_sim_b_8" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Primitive Skills and Crafts</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Mechanic-Makes-Toys-Amusements/dp/1588166392/ref=pd_sim_b_7" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Boy Mechanic books</a><br /><br />Share your ideas with me, too!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-30505847185448497492016-03-29T08:29:00.001-05:002016-03-29T08:29:26.434-05:00Season AheadI struggled with a post title. I am not particularly good at keeping a single focus with the posts, in case that point has escaped you, LOL. I have followed many great bloggers who have these great posts that stay true to specific area but alas, I'm simply not wired that way. I don't live a very focused life and it's not part of my DNA to write that way I suppose.<br />
<br />
That's not to say I'm always flying hither and yon without direction. <i>Ok, maybe I do sometimes, but the point here isn't the same, LOL.</i> I have a lot of LIFE around me everyday here. You would think, with less children around the homestead, and with them being older, my LIFE would settle a bit more. Not at all true. I couldn't force a truism out of that concept if you offered me a million dollars. Life has not settled an inch around here. If anything it has taken some twists and turns that have made more hills and upheavals than settled anything.<br />
<br />
But I imagine that is simply the nature of the beast itself, right? Life isn't meant to be easy flowing and without a bump here and there. And how you follow the path has a lot ot do with the amount, and size, of bumps you encounter. Seems I have been following quite a bumpy path though. I'm ready for some flat land and pretty scenery I think.<br />
<br />
We have teen attitudes here. Ha, no news there, right? Really though, they are increasing at a rate I was not at all prepared for. Having 4 others already move thru these same days, you'd think I'd be more equipped for them. That is not the case here apparently. The current 2 in that realm are going to be lucky to see the coming adulthood if things keep jumping the rails as they are. Or I will be bald as a bird egg, sitting in a corner rocking back and forth on my knees, humming show tunes while I color pretty pictures. Either scenario is likely at this stage.<br />
<br />
We need to make some changes. That is hard for me. Sure, I make changes all the time around here. It's almost an addiction for me to be discontented with surroundings and such and make changes...ask poor Man of the Homestead who comes home to a different looking house on a regular basis as I relocate furniture and even entire rooms here. There's no sneaking in late with the lights off around here...you could well walk into a wall of bookcases or a dining table that were not there in the light of day.<br />
<br />
The changes I am seeing in the fringe shadows are more in the nature of daily routines and overall Family Plan. Funny how I type that and some wayward butterfly outside goes past a window and attracts the dogs attention and they go berserk. They...the rescue addiction I have...need to be addressed. Soon. I know we have too many here. Knowing that doesn't really help much. They are here because they were throw-aways, or dumped because of illness or injury. I could no more turn them out from our home and family than I could my own children. I have no solution for that rock in the road I'm on.<br />
<br />
Man of the Homestead will be looking at a different job source soon. My vision of <i>different job source </i>and his are still not on the same page. He looks for things like better insurance, more pay and the like to provide for his family. I look for things like less hours, and those hours being much closer to home. The nature of his work will never allow him to be home for long. There just isn't that type of industry base around here. The new job opportunity does provide more pay per hour and will have insurance that is far more affordable than what we have now. But it is still travel based, though the initial job offering would be close enough for weekends home. Thing is these jobs aren't long term. Once they are built and running, it's over and time to move to the next one...which could be way out of state. To me, it's just a lateral move. To him, it's better pay and insurance. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-61363835121976686542016-03-29T08:28:00.000-05:002016-03-29T08:28:55.330-05:00Amazing Grace...of a style<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-43933341091188214612016-03-14T10:16:00.001-05:002016-03-14T10:16:08.491-05:00Middle March mashup...There was a good BBC show of the name<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middlemarch#Film.2C_television.2C_and_theatrical_adaptations" target="_blank"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;"> Middlemarch</span></u></i></b></a>.<br />
<br />
However my own title is merely a marking of the calendar here, not a George Eliot novel reference. The old saying about March, <i>in like a lion, out like a lamb, </i>might be debatable this year around here.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><em><strong>If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Is there any truth to this saying? Weather sayings are as colorful as
our imagination. While many sayings are based on careful observations
and turn out to be accurate, others are merely rhymes or beliefs of the
people who came before us.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Those people often believed that bad spirits could affect the weather
adversely, so they were cautious as to what they did or did not do in
certain situations. Those beliefs often included ideas that there should
be a balance in weather and life. So, if a month came in bad (like a
lion), it should go out good and calm (like a lamb).</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">With March being such a changeable month, in which we can see warm
spring-like temperatures or late-season snowstorms, you can understand
how this saying might hold true in some instances. We can only hope that
if March starts off cold and stormy it will end warm and sunny, but the
key word is hope. However, this saying seems be to more of a rhyme
rather than a true weather predictor.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Some other March-related lore includes:</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><em>A dry March and a wet May? Fill barns and bays with corn and hay.</em></span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It hasn't been that much of a lion really, although we have seen a
lot of rain this past couple of weeks. Storms to the point of record
rainfalls and flooding just north into the Memphis area, which brought
landslides on some manicured hillsides. Still, is a run of rain showers really <i>coming in like a lion</i>? Maybe. We'll see how the rest of the month plays out I guess.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDbiNnRbRmA/VubJfS7KTHI/AAAAAAAADXA/VHUykSextegCAjo-ghkjjPSaZ0P5csBIA/s1600/Blakefields%2BMansion%2Bcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDbiNnRbRmA/VubJfS7KTHI/AAAAAAAADXA/VHUykSextegCAjo-ghkjjPSaZ0P5csBIA/s320/Blakefields%2BMansion%2Bcover.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The giveaway I hosted for my daughter's book went well. I feel a bit guilty only sharing 5 copies of her ebook, <b><i><u><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CAIATEQ?keywords=blakefields%20mansion&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&qid=1456625367&ref_=mp_s_a_1_1&ref_=redir_mobile_desktop&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Blakefields Mansion</a></span>.</span></u></i></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> but I plan to host another giveaway near the end of the month. If you are of a mind to read a tale of Victorian England written by our oldest daughter Jen before then, head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CAIATEQ?keywords=blakefields%20mansion&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&qid=1456625367&ref_=mp_s_a_1_1&ref_=redir_mobile_desktop&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: red;">Amazon</span></i></b></a>, or the publisher site, <b><i><a href="http://www.anysubject.com/blakefields-mansion-by-jen-smith-and-clive-west" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">AnySubject Books</span></a></i></b> and grab a copy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Around the Homestead</b>...we have mud. A lot of mud. It's spring time here in the Deep South, so mud is a given. I should probably apologize for you having to hear we are mud-bound yet again. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Perhaps even more apologies that it is highly unlikely you'll <i>never</i> hear it again. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Tis life around this homestead. Despite being on a mountainside, the collective rains do not know anything of the principles of gravity and definitely don't flow off anywhere. The clay does a great job of holding it all in place. The chickens are knee-deep in mud...<i>that is to say, if chickens had knees, they would be knee-deep in mud.</i> The goats are none too pleased with the outcome of the last few rains either. Seems we will be dealing a lot with hoof issues this week as the land (hopefully) dries out with some warm weather and sunshine. The dogs are most certainly of a like mind, being trapped more indoors than they prefer, and being subjected to baths when they dare to make their escape past someone coming in the door. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rD6MDnTVyRE/VubTJDGfVuI/AAAAAAAADXU/AJXZE5u2tIkH2fiSahNVzF7A6NJ7fv4Wg/s1600/Animal%2BFarm_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rD6MDnTVyRE/VubTJDGfVuI/AAAAAAAADXU/AJXZE5u2tIkH2fiSahNVzF7A6NJ7fv4Wg/s320/Animal%2BFarm_4.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Rebellion the likes of <a href="http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/animalfarm/summary.html" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: red;">Orwell's Animal Farm</span></i></b></a> will be our fate here if the weather doesn't lay out in a better direction soon. </span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b>In the Kitchen</b>...I have committed biscuit blasphemy in my kitchen. Biscuits are a <i>thing of deep tradition</i> here in The South. From small rounds to <a href="http://www.mtnlaurel.com/recipes/766-old-fashioned-cat-head-biscuits.html" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: red;">Cat Head Biscuits</span></i></b></a>, light as a cloud, traditionally made with lard and fresh-churned buttermilk, served with butter and sorghum, jelly, or better yet, sawmill gravy. Every Southern cook worth their salt learned how to make perfect biscuits while still a child, standing on a stool in mawmaw's kitchen.</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><i> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">While some families grew their own wheat on the farm and had it ground
at the local grist mill, most women bought plain flour at the general
store. White Lily and Martha White, both produced in the South, continue
to rank among the most popular flours. On the farm, cooks used lard
(from hogs), which produces a flakier texture. In more recent times,
Crisco shortening has functioned as a more readily available substitute
for lard. Women have traditionally used buttermilk for biscuits, which
they churned at home or purchased from the store. Before self-rising
flour gained popularity, baking soda served as a primary leavening
agent.</span></i></span><span style="color: red;"></span> </div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I went and tossed tradition off that beloved kitchen stool this weekend and made biscuits using coconut oil. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can hear the gasps and hushed whispers from the gentile Southern ladies now.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mawmaw would be rolling in her grave no doubt were I Southern. I expect though, my culinary indiscretion and ignorance of long steeped history will be glossed over with a series of <span style="color: #e06666;"><i>bless her heart</i> </span>because I am alas, a Yankee and obviously know little of those traditions that built The South.</div>
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Still, the results of this blasphemous kitchen event were some of THE BEST BISCUITS I've made in a while. Ohmylordhavemercy those were some delicious biscuits. And light! Clouds have nothing on these babies. And did they rise to the history of true biscuit perfection? Yes ma'am, they sure 'nuf did. Bless my heart.<br />
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The recipe is just as basic as those traditional lard and buttermilk rounds...flour, baking powder, buttermilk, and coconut oil. Easy peasy prep work. I imagine you could use your favorite biscuit recipe and just sub out that lard for the coconut oil, but I'll share what I did:<br />
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4 cups flour</div>
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6 tsp (1/8 cup) baking powder</div>
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1/2 cup coconut oil in its solid form </div>
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1 1/2 cups buttermilk</div>
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Whisk your flour and baking powder together then add your coconut oil in, using your fingers, 2 forks, a pastry cutter...whatever your prefer...to mix the coconut oil in well. The mix should resemble small crumbs almost once fully incorporated. Then add in your milk and use that fork to mix it in. There are a few keys to making great biscuits, the main one being <span style="color: #e06666;"><i>do not over mix the dough when you add that milk in</i></span>. Just mix it enough to get the slop out of the dough, and never, ever knead the dough with your hands. Trust me on this. Light and fluffy biscuits require a more gentle hand.<br />
Another key is to be just as gentle when patting out the dough for cutting. Some will tell you to roll the dough out using a rolling pin. You can try, I don't suggest it. This isn't cookie dough. It isn't yeast dough. It's a delicate hand that produces the best biscuits rather than hockey pucks. Just flour your surface, flop that dough out of the bowl, and pat it into a circle with your hands, as wide as you need to keep the dough about 1/2 inch thick.<br />
Another key concerns the cutter. You can take a nice sharp knife and slice out squares if you're so inclined. I use a 2 or 3 inch cookie cutter, with our without pretty little fluted edges. The cutting itself is the key, not the implement. When you make those rounds, <span style="color: #e06666;"><i>do not under any circumstances twist that cutter</i></span>. Straight down into the dough, straight back up out of the dough. Twisting the cutter will "seal" the edges of the biscuit and prevent it from rising as well. They will also do a bit better if they are on that baking sheet just barely touching each other. Don't crowd them in too closely, but they aren't cookies...they aren't going to spread out...so don't leave them scattered miles apart either.<br />
The final key for truly great biscuits is the oven temperature. If you ever find a recipe that says heat to 375, forget it. Biscuits rise with some serious heat. The reaction of the baking powder and milk in your dough is great, but the heat is what really kicks it into high gear as it were. I'd never bake a pan of biscuits under 425. Most of my own recipes call for the 450-475 range honestly.<br />
Bake these particular biscuits for about 10-12 minutes. Just as the tops start to brown up, they are ready for the table. Delicious stuff here. I can fully understand biscuits being a staple of the table. They make ANY meal better.<br />
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<b>Walk Thru Scripture</b>...This has again been a week of issues here on the homestead. Issues enough that Dewey was called home Monday and spent the week here dealing with said issues. I won't discount <i>spiritual attack</i> here at all. There has been a lot of issues coming into full bloom around here since the undertaking of a chronological Bible study. I'm not all that confident that the attack comes because we are doing something right here, but it has been one attack after another here on the homestead. Attitudes are nowhere near where they should be, and things are simply falling apart in terms of family relations.<br />
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So here is the weekly reading notes, such as they are this week. Keep up the reading despite my lack folks. You can find the post that started Deuteronomy and shares the links to some commentary and study notes <a href="http://plainhomesteading.blogspot.com/2016/03/hectic-crazy-active-life-around-this.html" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></i></b></a>.<br />
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Deuteronomy 11-13<br />
Deuteronomy 14-16<br />
Deuteronomy 17-20<br />
Deuteronomy 21-23<br />
Deuteronomy 24-27<br />
Deuteronomy 28-29<br />
Deuteronomy 30-31</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-45266976519941604932016-03-07T18:11:00.002-06:002016-03-07T19:02:29.302-06:00Blakefield's Mansion ebook GIVEAWAY!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYqV8yJph3o/Vt4EHrOr6wI/AAAAAAAADWQ/U9sRHVGMtVU/s1600/Blakesfields%2BMansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYqV8yJph3o/Vt4EHrOr6wI/AAAAAAAADWQ/U9sRHVGMtVU/s320/Blakesfields%2BMansion.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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I am hosting a giveaway of free Kindle copy of my daughter's book, Blakefield's Mansion.</div>
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I made it simple...the first FIVE to claim their prize win.<br />
This is totally FREE and you of course owe me nothing in return. That said I would LOVE to have you share your honest review, good or bad, on the Blakefields Mansion Amazon page, as well as here on the blog. You can also leave your thoughts on the Facebook Fan Page<b><u><i> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Blakefieldsmansion/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #ea9999;">here</span></a></i></u></b>. Click the yellow link below to claim your free gift:</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><b>(giveaway is now closed)</b></i></span></div>
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Don't worry if you miss out this time around. You can purchase a copy yourself via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CAIATEQ?keywords=blakefields%20mansion&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&qid=1456625367&ref_=mp_s_a_1_1&ref_=redir_mobile_desktop&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b><i><u><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Amazon</span></u></i></b></a>, as well as the <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><u><b><i><a href="http://www.anysubject.com/blakefields-mansion-by-jen-smith-and-clive-west" target="_blank">AnySubject</a> </i></b></u></span>website. And I will be doing another Giveaway again soon!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947580832429520795.post-81856017559894581582016-03-07T10:22:00.000-06:002016-03-07T11:57:56.952-06:00Homestead NEWS FLASH!!! Ok, SUPER BAD MOMMA moment here. I totally did not post our exciting news on the blog here, though it's been shared all over Facebook.<br />
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We have an AUTHOR IN THE FAMILY!!!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2B12vCcN4k8/Vt2kAhRe5PI/AAAAAAAADVM/QOPBdHPSR9I/s1600/Jen%2BSmith%2Bauthor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2B12vCcN4k8/Vt2kAhRe5PI/AAAAAAAADVM/QOPBdHPSR9I/s320/Jen%2BSmith%2Bauthor.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Oldest daughter Jen has published her first novel with insight and guidance and some great collaboration by another author, <b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://clive-west.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Clive West</a></span></i></b>.<br />
Technically it isn't a novel, but a novella I believe, but I'm not splitting hairs over labels! The label doesn't matter a whit when OUR DAUGHTER HAS PUBLISHED HER FIRST BOOK!! The excitement is HUGE for all of us because we had no clue whatsoever that she was writing anything the past couple of years! Little stinker always could keep a secret!<br />
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<i>Blakefields Mansion begins in the year 1856 (although the prequel
begins in 1854). How many of the following major events which happened
in 1856 do you know about ?</i><br />
<i>Queen Victoria introduces the Victoria Cross for the first time</i><br />
<i>The Crimean War comes to an end with the treaty of Paris</i><br />
<i>Afghanistan is invaded by the Persian Empire and Britain is at war again<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Stanley Gibbons begins selling postage stamps<br /> Birth of George Bernard Shaw<br /> The Second Opium War in China begins<br /> There is an explosion at Cymmer Colliery in the Rhondda which kills 114 people <br /> The first boat race between Oxford and Cambridge universities takes place on the Thames in London</span></i><br />
<i>It was an eventful period in British history but to say more would be to introduce spoilers. You'll need to read the books.</i></blockquote>
Another teaser... <br />
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<i>What has possessed the normally level-headed Isabelle to abandon her
childhood friend among strangers and make a madcap dash across windswept
moors in a frantic search for help?
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<i>Two months earlier - the summer of 1856 - and the two girls are
eagerly anticipating a stay at the imposing Blakefields Mansion in the
West Riding of Yorkshire. They dream of grand balls, dashing young men,
and mysterious, elegant ladies. But the reality will prove very
different.
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<i>Intrigue upon intrigue builds to an unexpected and dramatic climax.
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<i>As they come to know the various gentlemen – the Lord of
Blakefields; his cheerful friend and confidant; the ambitious but
seemingly honest guest; the enigmatic neighbour with a dark past - it
becomes less and less clear who will turn out to be the champion of
decency and integrity.
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<i>Blakefields Mansion and its soon-to-be-released sequel, Stonecrest,
are both realistic historical romances set in a tempestuous period of
England's history. Queen Victoria is on the throne; social values are
beginning to change - something that Isabelle will discover as she
learns that true friends and true love are to be valued above either
fame or fortune.
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<i>If you enjoy the likes of Austen, Thackeray or Dickens, then Blakefields Mansion is for you.</i></blockquote>
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Here's the link to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Blakefieldsmansion/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Blakefields Mansion Facebook page</b> </span></a>to keep up to date on all the happenings <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Irdh635U--M/Vt2kEQaH-pI/AAAAAAAADVQ/zfqA88E9svs/s1600/Blakefields%2BMansion%2Bcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Irdh635U--M/Vt2kEQaH-pI/AAAAAAAADVQ/zfqA88E9svs/s320/Blakefields%2BMansion%2Bcover.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CAIATEQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1456625367&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=blakefields+mansion" target="_blank">Amazon page</a></b></span> so you can grab your own Kindle copy, complete with a sneak peek inside the book<br />
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And another <a href="http://www.anysubject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Blakefields-Mansion-by-Jen-Smith-and-Clive-West-sample.pdf" target="_blank"><u><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">quick teaser </span></b></u></a>to get you sucked in so you go buy a copy, LOL<br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">And ther<span style="color: #0000ee;">e is even a <b>real</b> Bell Busk Railway Station an<span style="color: #0000ee;">d Bed and Breakfast you can visit if you are one of those read<span style="color: #0000ee;">ers (as I am) who likes to see the bits<span style="color: #0000ee;"> of history mentioned within the pages of a good story</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><br />
<b><a href="http://www.malhamdalehotels.co.uk/the-railway/" target="_blank">Bell Busk Railway Station and Tudor House </a></b><i><br />
<i><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Busk_railway_station" target="_blank">Bell Busk wikipedia</a> </b><br />
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</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315996496008524220noreply@blogger.com1