What Does BUSY Mean To You?

This is the Ellis Family. I found it online. No relation. I just thought for an old picture, they have approximately the age distance, same birth order and number of children. Just for fun!

I've been busy. I've been over here knitting! There's the knitting, schooling, cleaning, cooking, rearing, feeding, obeying, disciplining, exercising, eating/drinking and all other everyday things I may have forgotten!

I was just digging through my boxes of books & I have so many language books!! We'll be starting with 3 easy languages: Spanish, German and Sign Language. The other languages I have are: Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Japanese, Russian and Short Hand. We could learn a language per year!!

I also found my music books. I'll start with Music Education in the Elementary School 1944-I have another 1/2 dozen music books. I have a bag of rhythm things as well as a recorder since #1 wanted to learn to play the flute. We've already used the McGuffey First Eclectic Reader and we'll review that and move up to the Second Eclectic Reader and I need to incorporate the Handwriting for each lesson! I'm still looking for my English Grammar book, I'll find it soon-I know where it is!

Now I'm waiting on:

Science - Rod & Staff Grade 2

Social Sciences- Rod & Staff Grade 2

Math - Saxon Math 2 (did get Saxon Math K, 1, & 3 so I'll have some foundational work for the babies (1, 2.5 &4) and then seeing how well the older two go through Math 2, I have 3 ready'n'waiting :NO, not new>eb.ay used!)

This will be for the 2 oldest and I'll be starting all 5 children in a learning schedule!! I'll let the 4 month old (yup, he's that big already) wait a little bit before catching up with his siblings.

Just like cloth diapers, I won't have much to buy for each child that goes through this curriculum!!!

I, like every mother out there that spends time & teaches her children, know where my children are academically. I can see where I haven't pushed them AT ALL and they catch on to concepts and ideas well. So, when I teach them, they'll be learning more efficiently and if I ever push them (encourage them to do more) they will excel! Last year was our "practice" year & we did the minimum and they advanced tremendously. This year is our "real" year for our oldest as far as scheduling, record keeping and subjects; but-you know, I just realized that we homeschool from birth. Subject closed.

**If you haven't figured out by now, I was homeschooled. Only 9th thru 12th and then I continued with a few subjects for several years after. I loved it so much more than any other schooling I ever had!! (I've been to Public, Catholic, Private Christian and Homeschool) I helped my parents along with my two younger brothers to set up several state homeschool conferences, then went on to teach a few violin students and played in 4 local orchestras. (My Lord Jesus gets credit for that talent, I just used it) I worked for almost two years in a violin shop before I was married and started another country!! (see above picture)

Did I mention that I fell in love with the violin after seeing the movie,

"And They Shall Have Music"

I started playing at age 14 and still play for my children.

Go here for more homeschooling mom's pages!

And We're Back!

Sorry about that gap in blogging. My computer would NOT log into Bl.ogger, G.m.ail or even Go.ogl.e!! My computer super brother fixed everything-remotely!! My #1 was laughing, moving the mouse trying to mess him up! Extra big hugs to him!!

Ok, now to the blog...ya know, real life!!

I wanted to share my other cake/muffin-thing recipe. It was so good that when I ate the leftovers I was surprised it came out of my oven!! Ok, here goes...

2 cups flour

1 1/4 TBS baking pwd

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 TBSP orange peel

1/4 cup butter or coconut oil

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup yogurt (homemade)

1/2 orange juice

1/2 cup honey

Blend orange peel in the orange juice. Mix dry ingredients, add liquids, mix well til nothing is dry. Put in GREASED pan. Cook at 400F degrees for 20 mins. Watch/check your cake the last 2-5 mins depending on your oven temps.

It doesn't taste like ginger, but it does have a strong orange flavor that is just naturally wonderful!! Please enjoy with your favourite beverage!

I have also been contemplating whether or not to continue with the Thankful Thursday or Then Sings My Soul Saturday. I don't blog regularly (barring the week of clothes) and I missed Thursday & would like to spend all of tomorrow outside. If I do continue, it may end up being Thankful Everydays and Singing to the Lord!

Okie dokie, what else? Not much here. I plan, Lord willing, to knit more & write up patterns and therefore blog less. We'll see. Hope you're enjoying the last days of summer break. I have school to start & projects to plan to keep everyone happy, busy and learning without realizing it!! Maybe I'll let you know what I'm doing for school, once I get it going. I have some great ideas from my big sis & am so ready to start!

K, nuthing else here. Ciao.

Last of the Clothes

I want to thank Nancie for the awards/recognition/friendship. It was truly kind to include me!! I want everyone that visits my site to go ahead and be included in the sharing of friendship. Copy to your computer the pictures and add to your blog. You can let me know, if you like!!This will be my last installment of clothing pictures. This is a maternity top, but it never fit when I was expecting, so I wear it now & it's just empire waisted and long! Both items were found at garage sales for "pennies". It's all polyester, but for cool days it's perfect & feminine! #1 put on the top & shoes and came to show me. It looked like a nice knee-length dress, just too cute!

SUNDAY

I was thinking about doing something along these lines of clothes for a week: my house. Going room by room & taking pictures. But it would not be a daily thing *giggle* as my whole house is not always ready for pictures. Ok, rarely even one room is ready!! I thought it would be a great way to clean and organize the house and get things done!! I'll let you know when I get to that. I'm telling you now so I can be held accountable!! It is Fall cleaning time, just before the school year starts, I think this is what I need! I am blogged out!! I am not an everyday blogger. I've spent way too much time online & look forward to a much quieter week. I hope to keep up with the Thankful Thursdays and Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Other than that, I'm going to get some constructive work done with my hands!

Ciao for now!

Singing Clothes (can't come up with anything witty right now)

THURSDAY/FRIDAY

Here's what I wore the past two days. (You might even see the smudges of dirt and little muddy handprint) Another O.ld Na.vy T-shirt and a pair of wideleg slacks again folded to just below the knee. (If I fold it higher, it's a little dorky looking-my preference)
We played outside lots in the dirt, water & running around in the orchard playing dodgeball. We came in & were kinda late in putting the children to bed. The youngest 2 were asleep & the others in their beds "visiting" when I walked out of my room and saw it. A BAT!!
Haven't I had enough of these??!! I didn't scream and freak out & dh was home, so he took things to block the bat's way to lead it to the open window and door, but them critters are fast! The children obeyed and stayed in their room & I ducked in and out of our room. It finally went out through the window. Praise the Lord. When I first saw it, I was shaking, trembling & I knew I didn't have to be afraid. We told it to go outside and prayed and I felt better. When it was all done & we cleaned up (just normal picking up & turning fans back on) I was exhausted! I sat with dh, he prayed for me & I didn't do anything else. Went to bed a little earlier than usual, but #6 was awake and fussy-strangely not the way he is at all!! And #5 came to our bed (she's only slept through the night in her own bed the previous night) and tossed and turned. I knew I wouldn't be able to function when I was up with #4 at 7 in the morning (but did see a beautiful red/orange sunrise-and now it has already rained & it's overcast) & slept maybe an hour more.

This morning I made eggs with sliced carrots and scot oatcakes:

3 cups oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 TBLS coconut oil
2 TBLS honey
1/2 cup water

Mix all ingredients & let sit for a couple of minutes. This begins the breakdown process of the oats & will stick together. I form palm-sized patties (smaller than hamburgers) close to 1/4" to 1/2" & place on a cookie sheet (ungreased). Cook for 12-15 mins. at 350F degrees. (less time is softer & longer gets it crunchier)

Oh yeah...it's Saturday!! (Scratch that, Sunday now!) Ok, a song. I just received the request for Jesus Loves the Little Children. ooooh, and O, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus! It's sung by one woman and I was able to sing along. It's so refreshing switching from alto to tenor (sung an octave higher than written)!!


I didn't sleep too well last night. But I was in constant prayer!
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7
I was thinking of the bat & remembering when we had bats (around 1/2 dozen) for a few nights 6 years ago! There were no more, Praise the Lord and I was able to get up earlier, before anyone else & exercise & shower & start b'fast!!

Since my computer was not connecting to the internet yesterday, here's the next set in the series:

SATURDAY

Yet another T-shirt with a navy color "cargo" style knit jersey skirt. This is of the storm that rolled in yesterday & has made it much cooler 75-80F with a LOT less humidity!! I'm considering putting on a sweater!

This is one of my longest posts, so I will end here without formalities.

Privacy Policy & Phone Connections

I just want to let you all know what I will post and what I won't in regards to names. If you are not comfortable with leaving your real name, leave a "nickname" and if I know you, then email me. Even really simple: Hi, this is Suzy and my nickname is RedHead.
If you are saying family names of mine, I won't post it. Sorry, but I must draw the line somewhere. If you've left a comment that you don't want here...you ARE able to delete it yourself. (I'm thankful for that blogger feature!) It hurts to delete comments so please be general if speaking of my family or just email me.

For Family: I probably call my mommy the most. Next is my mommy-in-law. So, you can see, we are not on the phone people. All that taken into consideration, I expect (Lord willing and we can actually schedule it!!) to be calling my sis-in-law #1 & we'll probably talk for a few hours, but we haven't spoken to each other in almost a year. (I don't even know if I spoke with her or if it was my brother after baby #6 was born-I was so weak and tired!) We've barely even emailed . We both know that we are very busy with many children & are still learning to get things done for our families. My main computer time is after the children are all asleep, as I've said before, it can be as late as 10 or 10:30P and then I have all my work to catch up on, exercise, shower, Bible reading/listening so I'm up mainly working til 1 to 3 in the morning.

I would love to schedule calling everyone and keeping in touch, but that is not practical. That is why I started the blog. There are too many people to be calling & returning calls. I'm sorry if this offends, but I must obey & get my work done. When I am on the phone it interrupts my day & keeps me from caring for my children and husband. Dh is also busy & relies on my blog to keep family up to date.

So you know: my phone can be very quirky. I've just found all the information to check messages, though I don't do that often. The caller id sometimes comes up and sometimes not.

There you go. Now I've devoted naptime to tell you and I didn't get the business things done. See! I make sacrifices too! "But I will suffer in silence, O, how I suffer!"

*smiling!*

Do have a good day and be a blessing!

P.S. I'm not doing clothes today because I'm wearing yesterday's clothes again! (gasp!)
*still smiling and laughing!*

Thankful Thursday & A Week of Clothes

Let's start with being Thankful!

Today I am seeing fruit in my own life, not only because I am thankful, but I am learning to obey!
Obey God AND my husband!! I've been listening to Wives and Husbands and seeing the scripture that says:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."
"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."
"Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." Ephesians 5:22-24

God said it, we must do it!! I want to walk in heavenly love (I Corinthians 13) toward my husband and to everyone!!

So, I am thankful to The Living Saviour Ministries for showing me to go to the scripture each and every moment, to live by the Word, to walk in faith & see God answer my prayers - each and every day!!

Ok, now to the nominal.

WednesdayThe cotton top is a wonderful garage sale find and wideleg jeans. I need to make a belt (knitted?) for these are too big for me now. I have a good 3 inches to pull at the sides of the legs. I don't have shorts (not that I'm against them) so that's why they are folded; they hit right below the knees.

Not much else, cooler around 80F degrees for the next week and slowly dropping into the high 70's for the weekend!

I made crackers from this recipe. I just added finely chopped onions & will be making these again & again! So very inexpensive & yummy!! (I didn't use rosemary)

Ummm...I need to go prepare the hamburgers & finish warming the leftover rice & lentils.

Blessings from God to you as you seek Him!!

3rd Day of Clothes

Wow, I hope I'm not leaving you wondering what comes next!! LOL! Here's what I wore for my anniversary. We didn't go anywhere or exchange gifts. This was the best anniversary because I changed my attitude & knew it would be a great day!! I still did the laundry, dishes, cooking, child raising (& blogging) that I do everyday, but having a happy heart made all the difference in the world!!

Tuesday

This a denim shirt with a fair isle knitted, 100% cotton skirt that my mom bought at a garage sale years ago!! My brothers called it the "N.ational Ge.og.raphic Skirt". (Not as bad as when I had a floral skirt in rusts and dark yellows & they called it my "Pizza Sauce Skirt"!!) Yup, I've had this skirt for approx. 15 years. The picture makes both peices look worn and faded, but they are VERY bright, must be the flash.
I'm starting to be tired of blogging every day!! It doesn't take long, but to fill in information is tedious!! Ok, need to distribute water & then head outside. It's much cooler today, with high around 85F for the next week!! We might actually be done with that hot weather.

Ciao for now!

Our Eighth Wedding Anniversary

"But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
Mark 10:5-9

Another Day, Another Outfit

Yesterday was 96F degrees with a heat index of 104F. You could swim as you walked outside, but the breeze was wonderful! After the storm passed through it was soooo chilly it felt great to breath the cool air!! There were a few tornados about 45 mins away, but no sirens or anything here. I now know that green sky color!! (it wasn't that dark here, but that green just lighter) The electricity blipped off for a min and there was a great rushing wind with lots of rain that blew across the yard.

Here's what I wore yesterday.

MONDAY

A cotton polo shirt from Old.Navy, the couture skirt is my original design (a rectangle with an elastic waist, hehe!), and very comfortable leather sandals.

I guess I wanted to make the point that you don't have to wear a dress only. And no one looks frumpy or overweight in skirts. I still have a good 25lbs to lose to get to my "skinny" weight, 15lbs to be my "mommy" weight. I am working on building lots of muscle since I didn't exercise this last pregnancy and have quite a bit more lightweight-space-filling-flub! Since May I've lost 10lbs and over 13". All I've done is the 15 min T-Tapp workout. I so very much would like to be like this homeschooling mom of 12!!

AND...I received this in the mail today!! Ok, now I'm busy with all this and more, need to finish the last of the laundry and go get lunch, Ciao for now!

A Week of Clothes

I won't say that I wear solely dresses and skirts, 'cause I don't. I would love to, but that's not me right now. I am gonna pretend you are coming for a visit and I'll show you what I "look" like. Sorry, no real pics of me. So, since this is something so very nonessential, I will share! (Even my husband says, "It's not a fashion show.") I did dress up like I used to yesterday & I felt better all day. These will be the previous day's clothes, so I can be honest. They will be wrinkled and stinky, but this is not smell-o-blog! LOL!!

SUNDAY

This is a 3/4 sleeved cotton blouse from Old.Navy, a worsted wool skirt in the Glen Plaid from e.bay, the black leather shoes were my gramma's - my sole (hehe) dress shoes, and my hair accessorized with my absolutely favorite silk scarf from my sis-in-law #1. I wore hose too, as any 1940's wife would do!

Ok, now on to my real life:

Monday - Friday: Laundry (Mon&Tues), Dishes (AM away & load/PM wash), Meals (much easier in summer, more cool meals, less oven baked), Vacuum/Cleaning, Schooling in Morning after breakfast, Outside Time/Kiddie Pool or Digging in Garden-the children for play, not often me!

Saturday: Last of any laundry, a big meal for leftovers on Sunday, Vacuum, Dishes...just about everything.

Sunday: Take care of family, rest, relax, refresh, read God's Word & KNIT!

Evenings: I finish what was put off or undone during the day, computer time, listening to Thurman Scrivner & knitting.

Here is my diaper table. Bummis Super Snap covers to the far left, then size 1 Kissaluvs, size 0 Kissaluvs, then European Trifold Toddler diapers. I use washcloths with water for wipes and if the babies get a rash, I use D.esitin Creamy. When I used A&D O.intment the diapers smelled fishy when clean!

Ok, now it's outside time/eating...need to go. Have a great week with many blessings from God!!

Singing Saturday

One beautiful day, just 81F degrees with a minimal 47% humidity!! Plenty hot in the sun to get in the kiddie pool with the children, but, alas, we don't have privacy of any type....well, maybe the van. We're gonna head outside again before bed. It'll be another late nite, the children took an hour nap at 4P.M!! But then again, I do stay up til 2 or 3 in the morning anyway. (Yes, I do sleep for about 5-6 interrupted hours) I'm not complaining...I get so much done in the day, AND so much I need to accomplish is done after children are in bed. I've found that I don't have the energy to complain, but totally lean on God, which makes my day calmer, more efficient, beautiful!!

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." II Corinthians 12:10

I don't struggle with the flesh when the flesh is weak!! It makes it so much easier to live for Christ!

So, today, #2 has been singing, "The Trees of the Field"

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace

The mountains and the hills shall break forth before you

There will be shouts of joy and all the trees of the field will clap,

Will clap their hands

Chorus

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)

The trees of the field will clap their hands,

The trees of the field will clap their hands

As you go out with joy!

Taken from Isaiah 55:10

Here it's sung with guitar and recorder

Sorry I can't find a link for this next song (it's not what's out there)

Fear Not

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee,

I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:

When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;

Neither shall the flame kindle a fire on thee

For I am the Lord thy God

It's a wonderful minor melody that repeats over and over! As well as blessing me over and over!! It's taken from Isaiah 43:1-3

Well, hubby is back from getting milk from the farm, so I guess it's outside time. Blessings ya'all and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Fire and Water

Walk Through Our Garden & Thankful Thursday

I thought you'd like to see these gorgeous HUGE plants. We eat cucumbers every day & we're waiting on the cantaloupe. We kinda got tired of the squash. I could try it fried, but it's hot & that's alot of work for just squash! The tomatos are abundant as well. We have about 12+ plants and I am ready to eat tomatos with salt and pepper & maybe even my mom's yummy summer mix:

Tomatos, Onions, Vinegar, Oil, Salt & Pepper - chop, mix, eat!

This squash is 12", so you can see the humongous plant that this is!! Also, the view of the garden above: if you don't have a family of 20 or more that love squash, only plant one seed!! God is overflowing our garden!! Thank you Lord for your blessings.

For more Thankful Thursday participants, go to Sting My Heart's gathering.

Exercise T-Tapp

Just wanted to write what I've been doing for exercise. T-Tapp. It only takes 15 mins. You never need any weights or equipment. You only need a little floor space. No jumping or bouncing. It is based on therapy used to strengthen the spine and work the muscles their whole length. When I had horrible sciatic pains from my hip to my toes, I would do the Primary Back Stretch once or twice a day and be all better. I have more energy, more muscle, less fat and I even sleep better (around 6 hours & still have the wherewithal to take care of everything for the next 18 hours!) I drink lots and lots of water & I think I'm still behind!! My skin is wonderful, my hair is thick & curly and my attitude is always getting better and better!! I work out after the children go to bed at night & I've caught up with dishes or whatever else needed attention, which can be anywhere between 9-11pm!

I've done the 15 min. workout for the past 3 months for almost every day. If I don't workout, I have a more difficult day & it's easier to walk with Jesus when I'm not having to deal with my mental fritz when I haven't taken care of myself!

Here's a Video & Part 2 on how it works.

Last year I did the 15 min workout for about a month or two-4 to 5 times per week, then I went right into the BootCamp (a 1 hour workout that you do for 10-14 days, everyday & then maintain with once or twice per week). I believe that since I didn't build my muscles and balance with the 15 min, that my foot rolled and had an almost 3rd degree sprain that took the full 6 weeks to heal that I could walk on it normally. One of the reasons I didn't workout this last pregnancy! I know that my foot was not severely injured because I had exercised (my foot rolled for years), but I should have stuck with the 15 mins to build muscles extensively! So, that's what I've been doing. I really, really want this last 20-ish pounds to drop off like after I had my first 2 children (two months postpartum!), but I am willing to wait so that there is no risk of injury!

All this to say, if you are needing an easy, effective and beneficial workout, consider T-Tapp. If you have any questions or need more information, let me know!

Then Sings My Soul

I guess it's already Sunday, but I wanted to try this also.

The song that I am teaching the children goes like this:

Ho, ho, ho, Hosanna,

Ha, ha, Ha-lelujah,

He, he, he, He saved me

Now I have the joy of the Lord!

Here's a boy playing it on the guitar. (Its title is Early One Morning)

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" Ephesians 5:19

Do you REALLY believe God?!

I was saved when I was 4 years old, baptized at 6. I also continued in sin for most of my life until recently. Are you shocked?! I'm not.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

I didn't give my life to God to be my Lord until I was between 18-22 and I STILL didn't obey my God.

I struggled with sins until I would go to God and He delivered me. Again, I began to let Satan have a foothold in my life by giving him place.

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" Gen. 3:1

I became angry, upset, overwhelmed; definitly not one with charity. (See I Corinthians 13)

I never doubted that God is and that Jesus died for my sins, but I doubted that God had a wonderful, painfree, holy life for me through faith.
God is a faith God.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

"...For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Romans 14:23b

This is all laid out in God's Word.

My parents showed us this site (The Living Saviour Ministries)and said if we wanted to be blessed and build our faith to go.

We listened for a couple of weeks, every night for hours. We are still listening. There are so many stories and sermons to help us go straight to God and the Word!

We repented of our unbelief (I truly didn't believe God...I knew He never lies, but began to believe Satan's lies)
We repented of our sins asking God to show us ALL so that we could repent.
I repented of my unforgiveness (listen to the sermon on How to Forgive & Forget)

Then we began to pray in earnest.

We have prayed for ourselves, friends and family and have seen God's Hand touch all of our lives!
There are many, many stories of healing - not only healings but miricles at The Living Saviour Ministries and worldwide!!

If you are sick, have an illness, disease or even a bad day...REPENT.
Jesus has already paid the price for our sins.
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." I Peter 2:24

God doesn't make mistakes, if you have not had your prayers answered then you need to come clean with God and search your heart:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
"And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

As I visit all these blogs of ladies that have problems, I am grieved in my heart and want to share with them of God's Blessings that are for us all, IF we repent and obey! So simple, so easy. Don't be hardhearted:

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."
James 1:21

Here's the link one more time to listen: Listen Online - Testimonies & Radio
Here's a link for lists of scriptures that show how merciful God is and gives us opportunity after opportunity to do what we ought: Free Downloads Page

I am writing this for you, my sisters in Christ, my friends. I look forward to hearing each of your testimonies of God's Faithfulness! I am in prayer with you all!
Blessings to each of you,
Bella Mama
Mrs. C.

Blogger Must Be Hungry!

Blogger ate my Thankful Thursday edit! So, here I am again to write how I've been blessed!

#1 (at just 7yrs) has become a humongous blessing! She empties the dishwasher, hangs up and puts away lots of laundry, clears and wipes the table, takes #5 to go potty, and the list goes on! A beautiful olive plant!

#2 (5.5yrs) helps take care of #4, #5 & #6. He often gets books and reads to the younger ones, just like Daddy! Very dependable and trustworthy!

#3 (4yrs) is a sweetie. He tries very hard to be obedient and enjoys helping everyone at all times. Thorough, eager, fast!

#4 (2.75yrs) comes when called & is a constant companion to #5, taking her by the hand & keeping her safe and obedient.

#5 (1.5yrs) makes all of us laugh! Runs to help and obey, takes care of #6 putting in his pacifier, covering him with his fallen blanket, giving him kisses on the forehead. Can almost fold the laundry & if we had the space for mostly folded clothes, I'd let her!

#6 (4mos) the happiest, most contented baby yet! Recognizes the other children & looks at those whose name was called. Beautiful, Perfect child!

My husband. I am blessed. So very blessed! Thank you Lord!

"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." Psalm 22:3

I Finally Did It!!

I wrote & published my very first free pattern!! It's for socks & I'm making a pair right now, just to be absolutely sure it's correct. Also, my husband is very pleased when I knit him socks and I have to make up for the first 3 pair that were either too big or just not quite right.

I've been trying to knit more or should I say, applying my time!

I made Pumpkin Bread (thing/stuff) for b'fast this morning. (I'll get around to fixing that error for the recipe.)

Not much else, it's considerably cooler (just around 80F with next to no humidity!) and I'm thinking of putting on socks!

Okie dokie everyone...Still working on articles for my sites as well as those patterns. Need to go for outside time right after we eat. Have a blessingsfull day!

Ciao.

And the Award goes to....

I am quite honoured in receiving an award! I will be nominating another 5 for this award also. It was presented by Amy from Amy's Place (a real gem!).

I am changing the rules...because I can! Anyone nominated does not need to post as the original rules state, but do link back to me if you say anything. (I like visitors, but more so, I like COMMENTS, tee hee). I declare this a "Calvin-zone"; feel free to do the same.

Drum roll please. (use your own sound effects)

1. I nominate first and foremost a non-blogger, my 5th born. She has completely potty trained herself at 19.5 months of age & I am thankful to Jesus for all!

2.Peasant House is a wonderful lady whose example of resting in the Word and leaning on Jesus for a peaceable life is a true blessing!

3.Bayith Treasures is a challenging and inspirational life to run the race to win!

4.Purity Seekers is another lady who, even with 5 children, manages to sew, knit, create as well as motivate me to do more and still get so much done! (this is where I found to put spinach in a smoothie!)

5.Mom of 9's Place is a website with mountains of information, encouragement, studies, and the list goes on and on!

*Just a note...I do not like pictures representing angels as women and that's why it's not here.

There Is ONLY One Way!

Are you good? Is it enough to get into heaven? Does your life, words, thoughts please God?

A wholesome life is absolutely nothing without Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?""And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."Matthew 7:22-23

Examine yourself. You are accountable to God.

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
"For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
"In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
"And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
"Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
"Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
"But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."

Colossians 3:1-25

Bread Making

I have Bosch Universal Mixer and an Ultramill Grain Mill. These are two of my best investments, even over a dishwasher. This is how I handle my bread making days (I will exclude the multitasking of making breakfast and caring for children).

Put Organic Red Wheat Berries in Grain Mill. Set in bedroom, turn on, come out, shut door. When pitch goes high (when no wheat is left to grind), open door, turn off, come out & shut door.

*all this is done so the effects of high decibel sound does not do damage to any of us.

Ok, so you see it's easy...fresh wheat is more desireable for all it's nutrients are intact for approx. 24 hours. You'll see and taste the difference!!

+Get out bosch, put in yeast, honey & warm water.

+Let yeast "burst"

+Add salt, oil and wheat (and other ingredients like oats, millet, nuts, etc.)

=add flour a few cups at a time, not all at once

+Knead with machine for about 3 minutes.

+Put into oil covered big bowl to let rise til almost falling out of pan (can take as little as 20 mins.)

+Punch down and let rise again

+Punch down and form into loaves & put in oiled ("Pam" can be used) loaf pans to let rise for no more than 25 mins

+Put in oven for 25-30 mins (depending on your oven) at 350 F.

+Take out & let cool before taking out of pans to cool the rest of the way before freezing or eating with honey!

So, it seems like a bit of work, but once you do this, it is so very easy & gratifies the body's cravings for good-for-you foods!!

Here's my recipe (It's what my mama taught me long, long ago)

4 TBLS Yeast

1.5 TBLS Salt

1/2 Cup Oil (Olive)

12-13 Cups Flour (8 cups wheat berries)

1/2 Cup Honey (I put in 1 to 1.5 cups to make the bread sweeter)

5 Cups Warm Water

That's the basic recipe for 4 loaves of bread. Also, I use Stainless Steel Breadpans.

I hope you are able to make bread & enjoy it! (Pay attention to your oven temperatures when cooking with honey. The bread will be darker in color than white flour and look almost burnt. There's a fine line between looking burnt and being burnt.)

Benefits of Approval

I dunno why I put that title, but I wanted to let you know that I have the moderators approval of the comments on. I was tired of checking almost all posts to see if someone left a comment. Feel free to put *private* on your post if you do not want me to post it. That's all, just some updating.

I'm going now, really I am. :)

Have a good 2nd day of the 4th of July weekend!

Ciao

Storms A 'Comin'

Just took these pictures. There's a giant red blog on the radar over us & the temperature just dropped to feel cool, almost chilly! You can see it moved & then I turned around & got a view of the small rotations (that are regular, but you can imagine funnels forming, hehe) and dark sky.

The pictures do NOT do the colors justice! But I thought I'd share. As I type, it is breaking up and going on either side of US!! Isn't GOD awesome!! Thank you Lord!!

Ok, Ciao for now.

Dishwasher

As per Candy's site (you can scroll to June 28th's post) & after Peasant House's example is my dishwasher:

This was the first load...

...and this is the second load yesterday with a view of the top rack.

I learned as a little girl that one does not overload a dishwasher (person or machine). So, this is not overloaded, but fully loaded; hence the double load.

We don't use plastic and yes, our glasses are salsa and peanut butter jars.

I've been blessed with this dishwasher. I didn't have one the first five and a half years we were married (that's hand washing with 4 little ones).

**I almost forgot the bread in the oven! And I think I do need to let it rise that 20 minutes before I turn on the oven...this batch was less & it's alot flatter! :{

But on the other hand: I did put oats in this batch, hmmmm!

Praise the Lord, we have bread!

(I do grind my own wheat.)

Later all...have children running around the house & need to get to them before the floor does. Ciao.

Pizza Anyone??

This morning started with making bread. Last night I was too hot to make bread, but it worked out great as today is much cooler! My bread is turning out wonderfully & I like it with lots of oats, but we're out. So this is just honey wheat. I make bread twice per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Last night I made Naan Bread Quick Pizza, so that's why I made bread today.

#1 is just too cute! She gave this to me yesterday, I thought you'd like to see. (Is every day Mother's Day?!) Everyone (except for 2 youngest nappers) is coloring right now. Designers in the making.

**APPLAUSE!!**

Yes, thank you, thank you. No, please, no autographs. Thank you.

Thank you for that warm welcome. It's great to be back! I've missed each and every one of you! I hope that what I bring today and each day will be an encouragement and blessing!

I will start by saying that we've been busy. The first month after #6 was born was a time of healing...I found out that I could eat a raw potatoe & was better so much faster. Raw potatoes have a ton (ok, more than a cup of spinach & then some) vitamin K, which helps blood to clot, promotes healing & all the other good things I can't think of right now.

Now #6 is 3 months old and doing great. I've been T-Tapping (only the 15 min. workout) EVERYDAY!! If I don't, I have a very bad mood day, lack of energy/fatigue, nausea, etc. I can handle everyday doing all I do and more with less sleep even!! Praise the Lord!!

We've taken a break from homeschooling (#1 & #2 have lessons & #3 & #4 pretend school...I mean preschool, LOL) while dh works on the house, we get rid of junk & stuff and try to get outside everyday several times to get our vitamin D. It's hot and humid here...no flooding (except for the lake in the farmer's field), rain is making our garden look gorgeous. We have raspberries and we've already eaten all the cherries and there are pears and apples and #3 experienced the aspects of running through honeybee clover barefoot-TWICE! :)

What else. I've been knitting soooo much. I have patterns written & I need to figure how I will post them or if I'll try the A.d.o.b.e A.c.r.o.b.a.t.

I'm kinda mentally overloaded by being able to blog, so I'll leave the rest (if there's more) for another time. Need to wake #3, 4 & 5 from naps, think of dinner & do something else...it'll come to me!

I hope to hear from you soon, too!

Many blessings to you all, Mrs. C.