It All Comes Out In The Wash

Laundry. Some dread it but I actually like it. There is just something wonderful about everything being clean, crisp and fresh! I came up with some info about laundry~

Did you know:

Your front loade washing machine needs maintenance to keep from  smelling bad?  http://www.ecokaren.com/2009/06/front-loading-washer-maintenance/

You can make your own laundry detergent for pennies?
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/07/brand-name-laundry-detergents-last.html   http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheaper-and-better-diy-laundry-detergent/

There are oodles of options for hanging your clothes out? (Or inside!)  http://www.momadvice.com/money/line_drying_clothing.aspx   http://www.clotheslineshop.com/

You CAN learn how to iron? http://www.wikihow.com/Iron   http://www.wikihow.com/Press-a-Shirt   http://www.wikihow.com/Press-Pants   http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-iron-a-shirt   http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-iron-trousers

There are charts for helping to get out laundry stains?  http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/stain_removal_basics.pdf

There are products for sale that are natural AND smell heavenly? http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-favorite-natural-laundry-detergents.html    http://www.farmhousewares.com/farmhouselaundrypowderbysweetgrassfarm.aspx

In the time it takes to hang out and take down your laundry from an outdoor clothesline you can get some of the 20-30 minutes of sunshine needed for healthy vatamin D and thyroid production?  http://www.womentowomen.com/hypothyroidism/alternativetreatments.aspx     http://parkaireconsultants.com/30minutesaday/

 Happy Laundering!

So, according to the neighborhood rooster, it is officially rooster o'clock and I am wide awake. I woke up this morning with a strong desire to pray. (I have had so many dear Ones struggling lately.) So when the Spirit leads I follow. :) It's interesting...I felt almost as though I was already praying in my dreams, when I woke up... ANYWAY, I just want to wish you all a wonderful day and to know that you have been prayed for.♥


Psalm 95:1-3
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Household Journal

 Just thought I would share some photos of my Household Journal. I created mine using my favorite ideas from many different books, sites, and people. I actually started my Journal about 18 years ago because I am such a disorganized person and I needed a place to keep all of the info I was gleaning to help me be a better homemaker. It started in a canvas covered binder that finally fell apart a couple years ago.

Here are some of my favorite Homemaking sites for those of you who may be thinking about starting their own Journal:

http://www.joyfulchristianhomemaking.com/

http://www.agodlyhomemaker.com/

http://flylady.net/

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/

http://www.budget101.com/

http://www.brocantehome.net/category/blog/

http://www.tasteofhome.com/

http://www.americastestkitchen.com/

http://organizedhome.com/

And some of my favorite books are:

The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emory

 Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping by Miriam Lukken

Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley

Sidetracked Home Executives by Pam Young and Peggy Jones (This was the first book I ever read on homemaking back in 1995.)

                                                                                                          Scrumptious Treats For Vintage Housekeepers               

                                                                                                          by Alison May

My Soldier

                                         
Yesterday We dropped off our son Nick at the hotel where he will be staying until he leaves for Fort Jackson for Army bootcamp. Needless to say I cried buckets. This morning I got up to an empty house and cried some more. I am sure there are going to be a few more episodes of this type to come but I am so proud of him and would not for anything takes this from him. Nick has wanted to be in the Army since he was 6 years old. He was voracious in accumulating as much army stuff he could from second hand stores and garage sales. He read everything he could get his hands on and watched many movies on the subject. (Including the Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook.) So I guess I have been "preparing" myself for years.

Life is going to be changed so much now that my youngest has flown the coop. I am so grateful to have so many things to keep me occupied through it all!

Summer Kitchen

summer kitchen:

 

noun

an extra kitchen, usually detached from a house, for use in warm weather.

I'm in the process of getting my summer kitchen set up. It's in the back room closed off from the rest of the house so as not to cause the air conditioner to work more than needed because the temperatures here in Phoenix can get up to 110 and more in the summer.

I decided to add a small convection oven this year because I figure it will pay for itself with what I save by not buying baked goods at the bakery. Other small appliances out there are 2 crockpots, a roaster, rice cooker, bread machine and an electric fry pan.

One day I am hoping that I will actually have a real working kitchen back there but until then I'll just keep "winging it". :)

Handwritten Letters

Some of my dearest friends are Mennonites that do not use computers let alone email. In order to stay in touch we send handwritten letters to one another. I can't tell you how excited I get to receive one of these very special "gifts"! I love seeing their familiar handwriting and ooohing and awing over the choice of stationary or card it is written on.

Reading the latest news in a letter, to me, is so much more precious than an

email. A letter can be kept in a pocket and pulled out to read again at will with no turning on of a device. They can be kept in a box and enjoyed over again....years later or put on the refrigerator for all to enjoy. They are so much more personal and thoughtful.

What a pity it would be to lose this wonderful custom!

Obviously, I do send out my share of email, blogs etc. but to not receive such a devine thing into my own hands would be so sad but until then I am going to keep my eye out for the mailman.

One of My favorite places to get writing supplies is Victorian Trading Company. Their products are beautiful and they even have fountain pens and ink!

Sourdough

My son recently let me know that I had not made anything with sourdough since we moved to Arizona and that it would be really nice if I could start doing so again. He was right but it has actually been since I was called and told my father was dying and that I needed to get to California asap. We were there for about a week and when I came back I found my start had died along with my dad. My mind set for so long has been that I associated it with my dad's death. Well, I am ready to "start" new.

For now, I am using a very basic sponge from a sourdough cookbook we got while we were in Alaska that you make with 2c. flour, 2 c. water and one package of yeast and let sit out overnight. (No metal please.) I am, however, going to be on the lookout for someone willing to "share a start" with me. If that fails I will try to "catch" my own because it is sooo worth the effort. It can take several tries before you catch one worthy of keeping and you will NEVER forget those bad ones!!

King Arthur has an awesome Sourdough Primer If you are interested in trying either of these sourdough starts.

I am looking forward to my first batch of waffles and I know my family is going to be pretty happy to have them again too!

P.S. Hey daddy! I made a start today!!

Aprons

Grandma's Apron
by Tina Trivett

The strings were tied, It was freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.

She may have used it to hold, some wildflowers that she'd found.
Or to hide a crying child's face, when a stranger came around.
Imagine all the little tears that were wiped with just that cloth.
Or it became a potholder to serve some chicken broth.

She probably carried kindling to stoke the kitchen fire.
To hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
When canning all her vegetables, it was used to wipe her brow.
You never know, she might have used it to shoo flies from the cow.

She might have carried eggs in from the chicken coop outside.
Whatever chore she used it for, she did them all with pride.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I'm sure the apron that she chose, was her Sunday best.

I miss you Grandma...

Mom's Apron by:Loyd C. Taylor

While thumbing through the old photo album,

A particular one my eyes fixed upon:

It was of Mom in her blue Sunday dress
And wearing a soiled yellow apron.

I smiled as in my mind I returned,
It seemed just like it was yesterday;
For I had left my small hand prints on it
From playing in the Carolina red clay.

Mom had called us into dinner;
I could smell Sunday chicken fried.
So I ran in and threw my arms around her,
As on my hands the clay she spied.

Mom pinched my cheeks as she laughed out loud,
Told me to wash up and quickly sit down;
Then sister Mary Ruth took Mom’s picture.
We kids snickered, not Dad, he just made a frown.

Mom would always wear an apron;
Yellow was her favorite color.
I loved to sneak and untie it,
Hear her shout, “Scat, you little stinker! ”

Yes, the apron was Mom’s preference
Of all the clothing that she wore;
She donned it like a badge of honor,
Displayed it like some fancy decor.

She would wear it into the hen house,
Then shape it in a rounded fold;
There, softly place fresh eggs gathered,
Or shield baby chicks from the cold.

I’ve seen her use it for a basket
For garden tomatoes or fresh corn;
I even recall when it cradled
A dozen kittens newly born.

She’d reach down, pull it at the bottom,
Her dishpan hands to gently dry;
She would fan herself in hot weather,
Or wave it like a flag to say goodbye.

Why, Mom’s apron could hide a shy child,
Or wipe dirt from a little boy’s ear;
And she would keep a hankie in its pocket,
That’s one memory I still hold dear.

I have seen her pat a sweaty brow,
After cooking over an old wood stove;
Or use it for a potholder, as cornbread
From the oven she would remove.

She’d use it to carry ripe apples
That had just fallen to the ground;
Maybe collect crumbs from the table,
Toss them to the birds waitin’ ’round.

Yes, Mom’s apron had many uses,
From a tote bag to shooing flies;
But I’ve also seen her use it tenderly,
When she would wipe teary eyes.

Now, I suppose the apron was invented
To protect a mom’s pretty clothes;
But they must have had my Mom in mind,
How she loved it... heaven only knows.

And I don’t reckon that too many ladies
Would care a whit for it these days;
But my mom proved its great value,
As she used it in so many ways.
While thumbing through the old photo album,
A particular one my eyes fixed upon:
It was of Mom in her blue Sunday dress
And wearing a soiled yellow apron.

I smiled as in my mind I returned,
It seemed just like it was yesterday;
For I had left my small hand prints on it
From playing in the Carolina red clay.

Mom had called us into dinner;
I could smell Sunday chicken fried.
So I ran in and threw my arms around her,
As on my hands the clay she spied.

Mom pinched my cheeks as she laughed out loud,
Told me to wash up and quickly sit down;
Then sister Mary Ruth took Mom’s picture.
We kids snickered, not Dad, he just made a frown.

Mom would always wear an apron;
Yellow was her favorite color.
I loved to sneak and untie it,
Hear her shout, “Scat, you little stinker! ”

Yes, the apron was Mom’s preference
Of all the clothing that she wore;
She donned it like a badge of honor,
Displayed it like some fancy decor.

She would wear it into the hen house,
Then shape it in a rounded fold;
There, softly place fresh eggs gathered,
Or shield baby chicks from the cold.

I’ve seen her use it for a basket
For garden tomatoes or fresh corn;
I even recall when it cradled
A dozen kittens newly born.

She’d reach down, pull it at the bottom,
Her dishpan hands to gently dry;
She would fan herself in hot weather,
Or wave it like a flag to say goodbye.

Why, Mom’s apron could hide a shy child,
Or wipe dirt from a little boy’s ear;
And she would keep a hankie in its pocket,
That’s one memory I still hold dear.

I have seen her pat a sweaty brow,
After cooking over an old wood stove;
Or use it for a potholder, as cornbread
From the oven she would remove.

She’d use it to carry ripe apples
That had just fallen to the ground;
Maybe collect crumbs from the table,
Toss them to the birds waitin’ ’round.

Yes, Mom’s apron had many uses,
From a tote bag to shooing flies;
But I’ve also seen her use it tenderly,
When she would wipe teary eyes.

Now, I suppose the apron was invented
To protect a mom’s pretty clothes;
But they must have had my Mom in mind,
How she loved it... heaven only knows.

And I don’t reckon that too many ladies
Would care a whit for it these days;
But my mom proved its great value,
As she used it in so many ways.

My Mother’s Apron
by Doris Ahls c1993

My Mother always wore an apron
Tied on in the back with strings.
She wore it to save her Sunday dress
She used it for many things.
Some of her aprons were very plain,
Others trimmed with ruffles and lace.
But every apron had a pocket
Sewn on the front some place.
In her pocket, she carried a hankie,
Some pins and a band aid or two
She always had the right stuff in her
pocket
To do the job she needed to do.
I remember she’d go to the hen house,
Gather her apron hem up in one hand,
Then put all the eggs in her handy basket
She never ever used a pan.
She used her apron as a towel
When her wet hands she needed to dry;
And always used it to dry our tears
Whenever we started to cry.
And if a fly invaded the house
And a fly swatter wasn’t near by,
She’d take off her apron and fan the air
To soon dispense with that fly.
Always her apron had a special place,
It hung on a hook on the kitchen door.
She would never be caught without
her apron
No matter what else she wore.
Today you don’t see old fashioned aprons
I guess they’re a part of the past.
But I remember Mother wearing an apron
Right up to the very last!!

~My Apron String~

I tied my apron strings and waltzed into the kitchen

To do all the things, that can’t be kept waiting!

And there by the sink waits a mountain of dishes,

And there all just for me,

I just smile and start to sing, cuz I know;

I’ve tied my apron strings!

There never done, there never thru,

There’s always some, just for you.

But tis a happy enterprise

One that makes you ever wise,

I don’t complain;

Nope, it’s against the rules.

You might think your work is awfully cool;

But the perks of my job

Make me feel like a queen,

Once I’ve tied –My Apron Strings.

~ Renee Stokes

Mother's Apron by David Pekrul

It hangs there on the kitchen wall,
A tattered apron, that is all,
But there is something I recall,
The love when Mother wore it.

From early morn 'till setting sun,
Her work, it seems, was never done,
Us children kept her on the run,
That apron, I adore it.

It tells of when I tried to flee,
When chased by angry bumble bees,
And then my Mother rescued me,
And in the process tore it.

It tells of when I stayed home ill,
With burning fever, then a chill,
And on her apron, tonic spilled,
Because I tried to pour it.

My mother had no fancy clothes,
With satin ribbons, lace or bows,
But in that apron, love she showed,
And we could not ignore it.

And now it hangs upon the wall,
What looked so large, appears so small,
A mem'ry since I learned to crawl,
I know now why she wore it.

Mother's Apron

By Joyce Johnson

Mother wore an ample apron
to cover her clean dress.
She'd tell you that's what it was for
if you asked her, I would guess.

But that apron had more uses
than I could even count.
It brought in eggs and vegetables
and could hold a large amount.

I've seen her use that apron
to wipe her dripping brow
as she labored over the big range
that's just an antique now.

Her apron could bring giggles
in a game of peek-a-boo
with her newest, sweet grandbaby
as she hid her face from view.

When we kids were hurt or crying
we'd run to find her lap.
She'd wipe the falling tears away
with a bit of apron flap.

That apron dusted tables
and shooed away the flies.
It did just fine as oven mitts
to take out bubbling pies.

But the greatest of the treasures
that old apron could hold,
was the endless love from Mother
abiding in each fold.

The Beautiful Season

I am calling it The Beautiful Season. It is when the scorching heat here in Phoenix ends and the fabulous weather reigns until the heat is back the next June.

I can have my morning quiet time outside, take an evening stroll with my husband, and get back to baking. It means we can BBQ without BBQing ourselves and walk outside in bare feet without burning them! My most favorite is being able to go on day hikes again!

Today we were at 96 and a low of 70 is forecast for tonight. We have another hot spell coming up but the evenings are finally cooling down and that is the promise of the Beautiful season to come!

Changes

I will be Having Lasik surgery on my eyes on Tuesday. I will be recuperating for a few days so I am working and planning ahead so things will go smoothly for my guys.

What a relief it will be to not have to fumble around at night, when I swim, when exercising, or taking a shower or bath! (I have been doing so ever since I was 6!)

I got some books on CD to listen to since my doctor recommends not reading or watching tv for a couple of days. My son has also given me a satellite radio so I can listen to old time radio while I am resting with my eyes closed. (Such a sweet boy!)

I will let you know how it goes in case some one might be thinking about having Lasik done!

My Favorite Blog

My favorite blog is having a great give away! http://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/2010/07/king-arthur-flour-and-cookbook-giveaway.html

If you haven't been introduced to The Legacy of Home you are in for a treat. I adore her writing style and her choice of subjects. She is inspiring and I hope she will bless you as much as she does me!

Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes

Barbecue Meatloaf


INGREDIENTS:
2 to 2 1/2 pounds ground chuck 1 can tomato soup, divided
1 egg, slightly beaten 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons
Worcestershire sauce, divided 2 tablespoons dried minced onions
1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup water 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
DIRECTIONS:
Combine ground chuck with half of the tomato soup, egg, crackers, honey, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, onions, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into a ball. Place a crinkled length of aluminum foil in the slow cooker/Crock Pot so the ends extend an inch or so out of the pot.
Place the meatloaf in the pot (the foil will make it easier ro lift the meatloaf out and keep it out of the drippings).
Combine remaining soup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, the water, mustard, and brown sugar. Whisk together and pour over the meat loaf. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Serves 4 to 6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



CROCKPOT CARNITAS
1 1/2-2 lbs. pork tenderloin or pork butt, cut into 2" cubes
1 med. onion
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced
4 lg. strips of peel from 1/2 an orange
1 (12-oz.) can Dr. Pepper or Coke (don't use diet)
Cook in a slow cooker for 8 hours on low. Uncover. Shred with 2 forks. Serve with tortillas, Pico de Gallo, and other condiments. Serves 8.
Cheesey Creamed Corn

Ingredients.
serves 8

2 (16-ounce) packages frozen corn (no need to thaw)
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons water
4 slices American cheese, crumbled

Directions.

Use a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker. Empty the corn packages into your slow cooker. Unwrap the cream cheese and put the blocks on top. Add sugar and water, and fold the American cheese slices a few times, then crumble it in on top.
Cover and cook on low until everything is all melty---about six hours on low in my 4-quart. If you're using a big cooker, it'll cook a bit faster---check after 4 hours on low.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cheesy Potato Casserole

2 lb. pkg. frozen hash brown potatoes(partially thawed)
2 cans (10 oz.) cheddar cheese soup
1 can (13 oz.) evaporated milk
1 can French fried onion rings
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine above recipe ingredients and pour into greased slowcooker. Add salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or high for 4 hours. Sprinkle other 1/2 onion rings of top before serving. Makes a perfect side dish with meatloaf, or a barbecue chicken breast.
Stir well before serving.


BBQ Ribs


Ingredients:
4 pounds pork baby back ribs
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups ketchup
1 cup chili sauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

4 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 dash hot sauce
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Season ribs with salt and pepper. Place in a shallow baking pan. Brown in oven 15 minutes. Turn over, and brown another 15 minutes; drain fat.
In a medium bowl, mix together the ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt and pepper. Place ribs in slow cooker. Pour sauce over ribs, and turn to coat.
Cover, and cook on Low 6 to 8 hours, or until ribs are tender.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Breakfast Casserole


INGREDIENTS
6 beaten eggs

10 slices of bread
Breakfast Casserole

1 1/2 C. milk
2 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 lb sausage
salt and pepper
yellow mustard (optional)

Brown and crumble the sausage. Drain remaining fat.

DIRECTIONS
Spread mustard on one side of the bread and cut bread in quarters. Beat eggs and milk together with salt and pepper to taste.
Spray inside of crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Layer bread, cheese and sausage in crockpot. Pour milk and egg mixture over everything. Cook on low 8 - 12 hours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Best Crockpot Chicken

INGREDIENTS
6-8 lb roaster
8 red potatoes
4 celery sticks
1 Vidalia Onion
2 heads garlic(yes heads)
1 stick softened butter
4-8 pcs. frozen corn

DIRECTIONS
Cut potatoes and onion into medium chunks.
Cut celery in 1/4's
Place all in bottom of crockpot.
Peel 1 head of garlic. Put 3 or 4 cloves to the side. Break
the rest and put in the bottom of the crockpot.
Press saved cloves into the butter and mix together. Put butter mixture under skin and on top of legs and wings. Take the other head and put in cavity. Put chicken on top of vegetables.
Turn crockpot on high and cook for about 5 hrs.
Very carefully take chicken out, it is falling apart, bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 15-20 min to brown the skin. At the same time you take the chicken out put the defrosted corn in with the vegetables. Make gravy out of the drippings, It is wonderful. Don't forget about the head of garlic in the cavity. Mix them with a little softened butter for garlic bread. If you don't like garlic you can cut the qty down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Slow Cooking During Summer

One thing I have discovered is that cooking in the house during the summer does not help with the power bill because it causes the a/c to run more. My way around that issue is to use more than one slow cooker and to plug them in out in the utility room closed off from the main house.

Over the years I have collected many slow cooker cook books and recipes so that I have an abundance of choices. Not just main dishes but sides and desserts as well.

I have always had good results with slow cookers from Hamilton Beach. My most recent acquisition being the 3 in 1 cooker. Now I can choose the proper size crock for what I am making since it is best to cook with the crock more than half full.

I love being able to put together the meal in the morning when it is coolest and then forgetting about it until just before it is time to eat. I am also having fun experimenting with new recipes and rewriting some favorites to work in the slow cooker.

Here is a family favorite:

Baked Beans

1# dry beans
-----------------
6 pieces of bacon
1 large onion, chopped
2 T. dark brown sugar
1/4 c. dark molasses
2 t. dry mustard
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
3 c. water


In a large bowl, cover beans with water. let soak 12 or more hours. (I put them to soak before I go to bed.)

Drain beans. Combine beans and chopped onion in crock pot. Stack bacon and roll up. Bury bacon in the center of the beans. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over the top of the beans. Cover and cook on high for 5 1/2 to 6 hours adding water if needed.


You can double this for your family and it will be fine. (I double it when I take it to potlucks.) Just be sure to watch and see if you need to add water. Some slow cookers cook a bit higher than others.

A Kitchen Prayer

Klara Munkres

---

Lord of all pots and pans and things
Since I’ve not time to be
A saint by doing lovely things or
Watching late with Thee
Or dreaming in the dawn light or
Storming Heaven’s gates
Make me a saint by getting meals and
Washing up the plates.

Although I must have Martha’s hands,
I have a Mary mind
And when I black the boots and shoes,
Thy sandals Lord I find.
I think of how they trod the earth,
What time I scrub the floor
Accept this meditation Lord,
I haven’t time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with Thy love,
And light it with Thy peace
Forgive me all my worrying and make
My grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food,
In room or by the sea
Accept this service that I do,
I do it unto Thee.

Smoothies Here I Come!

I am so excited! I just got my smoothie blender today! I have been following Shoshanna Easling's videos and articles about making smoothies with beneficial herbs and finally decided that I am going to start making them. It makes sense that our bodies will process natural foods better and assimilate the vitamins better. Plus, you get all the added fiber!

I am figuring fruit into my diet in the form of smoothies. The new low carb way of thinking has put a black mark on fruit. My way of thinking is to be moderate and as nutrient rich as possible. God created so many foods and herbs that are packed full of vitamins why should I take a man made pill?

Here is where you can watch her videos! http://www.youtube.com/user/BulkHerbStore And here is where you can buy herbs! http://www.bulkherbstore.com

Nick's Graduation Picnic

Just wanted to share some photos!

Lace Curtains

A couple of days ago I put up my lace curtains and rolled out my braided rug in the living room. Such a simple thing. That evening my family gathered there and appreciated how much of a difference it made. Our house was now becoming our home.

Moving can be so stressful and tiring. I honestly wanted to just sit down with a book and put it off. In hearing the words of appreciation I am encouraged. I now want to sort through the boxes and continue. I want my family to be able to come home to their comfort and peace after their long day of working hard.

Why do we love certain houses, and why do they seem to love us? It is the warmth of our individual hearts reflected in our surroundings.
~ T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings

Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.
~Robert Montgomery

We Are Moving!

I just spent most of my day purging and packing. I am determined to simplify my life. No more hanging on to things that just get thrown into storage never to be used and then moved to the next house. I thought I had done a good job when we moved from WA to AZ last July. I must have been fooling myself.

I am going through things and asking myself :What is the purpose of this? Do I absolutely love this? Does having this Help me?

It looks like the house we are selling is going through escrow pretty fast and the new owners will have possession upon closing. Meanwhile, my hubby is working hard at getting the kitchen totally finished before we move in and I have yet to do some cleaning there. I am not one who works well under pressure so I am praying I will be able to get the job done without stressing out. :)

Pantry Sweet Pantry

I can't tell you how excited I will be to fill a pantry again! When we sold our house in WA we knew we would be in "limbo" until we found a new house to buy and that our pantry items would be subject to the summer heat and would go rancid. We gave away almost all that was in our pantry and freezer to some large families we knew.

The kitchen in our Buckeye home didn't have enough storage to accommodate what I consider a proper pantry. With this new kitchen I will be in pantry heaven.

What will I put in my pantry? 3 kinds of whole wheat flour, whole rolled oats, stone ground whole grain corn and organic dried fruits are some things.

Oh the joy when once again I can just open my pantry and make something without having to go to the store first!

Life After Graduation

Usually when you hear "life after graduation" it pertains to a scholar who completed his/her course of study. Lately I have been thinking of it in terms of being a homeschool mom who's youngest is graduating.

"Now what?" often pops into my head. Yes I have the work on the house but then what? Whatever it is I choose to do I want it to be something that will glorify the Lord. A type of ministry. I just can't stand the thought of all this time on my hands. Titus 2:3-5 comes to mind. Could I possibly come up with something that will bless young mamas with my extra time? I feel as though the answer is right at the tip of my thoughts yet I can't grasp it.

I wonder how many other mamas go through this. My situation is different in that I am still young compared to other homeschooling mamas because the Lord only saw fit to bless us with 2 children and my homeschooling is done sooner because of it.

Homeschool was such a blessing that I am sad to see the end of it yet I know that the Lord has great possibilities for me if I will just open my heart and listen!