Today, I am baking up 2 lbs. of dry kidney beans, and 3 lbs. of dry black beans.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Bean Baking Day ~ Canned Grape Jelly
We did not get the 4 1/2 inches of predicted snow. We did, however, get a layer of freezing rain. You can see it on my clothesline. The photo is not the greatest. The wind was horrible this morning, and still is.
Today, I am baking up 2 lbs. of dry kidney beans, and 3 lbs. of dry black beans.
Today, I am baking up 2 lbs. of dry kidney beans, and 3 lbs. of dry black beans.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday Snow
Yes, we are getting more snow. They are saying we may get another 4 1/2 inches. The previous snow has almost melted, making a gushy mess in the yard. I am almost wondering if I should stone the underside of my clotheslines for convenience year-round. Then again I could just lay an extra piece of wood down to avoid stepping in the squishy mud. It's all worth it. With a large family, not using the dryer has cut down our electric bill tremendously.
Sunday's are a good day to curl up and watch Little House DVD's. . .
Or spend time crocheting Christmas gifts or hope chest blankets . . .
Or sipping tea, coffee, or hot chocolate . . .
Although the snow is now coming down, the chickens enjoying their time out of their coop. As a result of the recent warmer weather, they have starting laying a few more eggs.
Even the house cats were all fired up last week. While checking on my e-mail one morning, I kept hearing a crinkle sound. I forgot about it, and when I stood up to leave my chair, I saw the culprit. Tiger, my youngest daughter's cat, was carrying a skein of fuzzy yarn through the kitchen. He looked like a wild tiger carrying his "catch of the day" and was very proud of it. Jasper, another daughter's cat, took off with a chenille stem flower that my youngest made for me. It has already been dunked into the water bowl this morning.
I think we'll enjoy a few board games today, a few good books, and a lot of good conversation.
Sunday's are a good day to curl up and watch Little House DVD's. . .
Or spend time crocheting Christmas gifts or hope chest blankets . . .
Or sipping tea, coffee, or hot chocolate . . .
Although the snow is now coming down, the chickens enjoying their time out of their coop. As a result of the recent warmer weather, they have starting laying a few more eggs.
Even the house cats were all fired up last week. While checking on my e-mail one morning, I kept hearing a crinkle sound. I forgot about it, and when I stood up to leave my chair, I saw the culprit. Tiger, my youngest daughter's cat, was carrying a skein of fuzzy yarn through the kitchen. He looked like a wild tiger carrying his "catch of the day" and was very proud of it. Jasper, another daughter's cat, took off with a chenille stem flower that my youngest made for me. It has already been dunked into the water bowl this morning.
I think we'll enjoy a few board games today, a few good books, and a lot of good conversation.
Pummelo or Pomelo?
We were all surprised to see how this fruit tasted. It is in season in February, and the kids loved it. We plan to eat more of this fruit.
This fruit, after it's peeled, pulls away in sections from the center.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Sunshine Delight
Getting back to the gym, after being sick, has been great for me. The sun shining today is always a welcome to my body and soul.
Today, we are trying a new fruit - Pummelo. It is best for jam and jellies. It's been fun trying new foods.
I'm still plugging away on another hope chest blanket. My goal was 2 rows a night, and I've pretty much kept up with that. It's about 60 inches wide.
Besides reading library books, magazines, and my Bible, I have been working on more articles.
Items added to my mini "bucket list": dehydrate eggs, can grape jelly, and add hand towels to the Christmas crochet list.
Today, we are trying a new fruit - Pummelo. It is best for jam and jellies. It's been fun trying new foods.
I'm still plugging away on another hope chest blanket. My goal was 2 rows a night, and I've pretty much kept up with that. It's about 60 inches wide.
Besides reading library books, magazines, and my Bible, I have been working on more articles.
Items added to my mini "bucket list": dehydrate eggs, can grape jelly, and add hand towels to the Christmas crochet list.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Weekend Worry
The weekend is here already. Sheesh. Where did the week go already? The snow is starting to melt here, and boy what a mess it is with the dogs.
Even the birds are happy outside. While I was hanging laundry outside, there was a bird sitting at the very top of an evergreen tree, just singing away.
I managed to write and publish two on-line articles this week. That is pretty good considering I was sick for a long time and had a lot of house cleaning to catch up on. I even read through a few magazines, cutting out important articles I wanted to keep.
I just had to cut this one out, regarding anxiety and faith. This article is now in my daily reading Bible, to remind me that worry is not good for me. As a mother of many children, it's hard not to worry most days.
I worry about the dogs bringing mud inside on their paws, I worry if the chicken coop has been cleaned, I worry that someone might visit me when I have not cleaned the bathroom yet, and worry just makes me have a bad day overall. Before I know it, I've put myself in a very bad mood. When I start to worry about something, I can open my Bible and read Matthew 6:25-30.
Even the birds are happy outside. While I was hanging laundry outside, there was a bird sitting at the very top of an evergreen tree, just singing away.
I managed to write and publish two on-line articles this week. That is pretty good considering I was sick for a long time and had a lot of house cleaning to catch up on. I even read through a few magazines, cutting out important articles I wanted to keep.
I just had to cut this one out, regarding anxiety and faith. This article is now in my daily reading Bible, to remind me that worry is not good for me. As a mother of many children, it's hard not to worry most days.
I worry about the dogs bringing mud inside on their paws, I worry if the chicken coop has been cleaned, I worry that someone might visit me when I have not cleaned the bathroom yet, and worry just makes me have a bad day overall. Before I know it, I've put myself in a very bad mood. When I start to worry about something, I can open my Bible and read Matthew 6:25-30.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Bread Baking Day
Today is bread baking day, and not the bread you are probably thinking about. I grated and froze many bags of zucchini from last year's summer garden, and they bless us with zucchini bread. Two loaves are already baking as I post this.
Next on the list - banana bread.
Every time I bake, certain things come to mind. For example, I added applesauce in place of oil in the first recipe, and it reminded me to can applesauce this coming year. I now have a "mini" bucket list of items I need to start making from scratch, and a "to-do" list for other things that come to mind.
I typically use stone ground, preservative free whole wheat for my 1/2 of the white flour. Each summer I make one or two trips and store it in my freezer. When I bake, I make notes on my lists, as to what I need to stock up on and what I am running out of. Each year I can plan it much better than the previous year.
These breads are wonderful for my kids lunch packings. I can use my own farm fresh eggs also. It makes a much healthier snack at home too.
Next on the list - banana bread.
Every time I bake, certain things come to mind. For example, I added applesauce in place of oil in the first recipe, and it reminded me to can applesauce this coming year. I now have a "mini" bucket list of items I need to start making from scratch, and a "to-do" list for other things that come to mind.
I typically use stone ground, preservative free whole wheat for my 1/2 of the white flour. Each summer I make one or two trips and store it in my freezer. When I bake, I make notes on my lists, as to what I need to stock up on and what I am running out of. Each year I can plan it much better than the previous year.
These breads are wonderful for my kids lunch packings. I can use my own farm fresh eggs also. It makes a much healthier snack at home too.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Self-Reliant Vehicle Repair
My current van is once again needing repairs. Last year, we replaced gaskets and head gaskets ourselves, saving us several thousand dollars. However, that's not all. With constant leaking problems, windows not sealed properly, broken windshield wiper blades, replacing of the horn, replacing of the electric unit that controls the movement of the driver's seat, and many other repairs - all repairs completed without hiring someone.
We'd be in a pickle if my husband did not have the knowledge of repairing our vehicles vs. hiring someone. It is very important to learn how to make repairs and continue to be self-reliant. I plan to spend more time learning about changing the oil and other repairs.
Many times in the past our vehicle repairs required the help of family and friends. In return, we help them when they need help. Just the pioneers did with wagon repairs, family needs, or farm help, we help each other.
Last night we needed the help of several people. One with a truck and equipment to tow the van from a town 10 miles away, then tow it to another family member's house, and then back home. The part replaced was easily found at the parts store, so the only cost to us was time, the cost of the part, and seeking help from friends and family.
Although I keep telling my husband a horse would come in handy, he keeps reminding me that they need maintenance also. Either way, I'm voting for the good ol' horse and buggy. It seems like owning a vehicle robs people of their money on a constant basis. Add up the cost of mandatory insurance, tags, plates, gas, oil, coolant, parts, and everything else, and you have enough to send one or two kids to college.
Things are not made like they used to be.
We'd be in a pickle if my husband did not have the knowledge of repairing our vehicles vs. hiring someone. It is very important to learn how to make repairs and continue to be self-reliant. I plan to spend more time learning about changing the oil and other repairs.
Many times in the past our vehicle repairs required the help of family and friends. In return, we help them when they need help. Just the pioneers did with wagon repairs, family needs, or farm help, we help each other.
Last night we needed the help of several people. One with a truck and equipment to tow the van from a town 10 miles away, then tow it to another family member's house, and then back home. The part replaced was easily found at the parts store, so the only cost to us was time, the cost of the part, and seeking help from friends and family.
Although I keep telling my husband a horse would come in handy, he keeps reminding me that they need maintenance also. Either way, I'm voting for the good ol' horse and buggy. It seems like owning a vehicle robs people of their money on a constant basis. Add up the cost of mandatory insurance, tags, plates, gas, oil, coolant, parts, and everything else, and you have enough to send one or two kids to college.
Things are not made like they used to be.
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