Whole Wheat Sprouts

I haven't sprouted wheat for several months and had forgotten how yummy (different than holiday cookies) and nutritious they are. We also feel SOOOO good, energized, clear thinking and peaceful. No, this isn't for "atonement", but it's apropos. Hope to be making more bean mix dishes as well.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

I Corinthians 10:30

Let me know what you're favourite "Fallen-off-the-bandwagon" recovery snack or meal is!! I love getting ideas from others!!

Black Bear in Vacinity

Gonna be passing out (me, almost) Pumpkin Bread after this post. Wanted to show you this: My Poirot-looking bear. When I fill him with the molasses, then, as the children have been calling him, he's black bear. So, they ask for black bear - not molasses. It's an easy way to keep it, no mess and readily available!

Gonna go now...too tired to even knit, but I always recover!! ....I'm already feeling better thinking about knitting!! Ciao for now.

Cold Hands = Warm Heart

It rained this morning and now it's sleeting. We're supposed to get 3-7 inches of snow. Last time we lost the electricity...so, I have laundry to do before (if) it goes out. Just letting ya'alls know...may not have phone or computer. WILL be enjoying the woodstove, makes the meal planning a bit of an unexpected challenge, but we'll see if anything happens. Have a blessing of a day!

Update 12/24:
No Big Deal here. I wanted to prepare myself & get some other things done. We did get a couple of inches of snow, but the wind was gusting from 20-30 mph!! We're gonna step outside for a bit of fresh air and maybe I'll get out my violin. Never know what you're gonna learn about an online friend, hehe! So, gonna be relaxing...have lunch and dinner to prep and start. Ciao for now!

6 Months Down, 3 To Go.

I am feeling brave enough to post my picture, or rather the baby's. This is a fairly normal looking pic, just wait until I'm 8+ months--I'm already getting a bit winded waddling around, but PRAISE THE LORD, I have no aches and pains!! I just finished my cereal (oatmeal, walnuts, raisins & molasses-not chocolate sauce) and now am warming water for tea. After I'm done here, I'm going to continue #3's second sock...or maybe work on the afghan over here.

The sweater is cotton & .50 cents from a garage sale. It won't fit for long. *grin*

Meal/Menu Planning

*Quick Quiche and Fried Spuds (probably baked)

*Chili (with beans***)

*Hamburger Skillet

*Bisquits 'n' Gravy *12/25 D

*Grilled Cheese 'n' Soup Bone Broth

*Crockpot Roast & Mshd Spuds

*Beans 'n' Rice 12/23 D & 12/24 L & 12/25 L

*Malt-O-Meal 12/23 L

*Baked Sweet Potatoes 12/22 D

*Sloppy Joes 12/26 D

*Beefy Beans 'n' Rice & Pumpkin Pie Cake Muffin Bread 12/27 D

**Double Batch of Bread (8 loaves)

***Bean Mix: Pinto, Garbanzo (Chick Peas), Black Eyed Peas, Lentils and Split Peas

Pumpkin Pie Cake Muffin Bread

This is made with whole wheat flour and honey. This is tweaked especially for these ingredients, substitute at your own risk.

2 cups Whole Wheat Flour

1 tsp Cinnamon, Ginger & Nutmeg EACH

1 1/4 TBLS Baking Powder

1/4 cup (1 stick) Butter (soften, but not melted)

1 can Pumpkin (1/2 large 29 ounce can )

1/2 cup Honey

1/2 cup Whole Milk

2 Eggs

(optional) Walnuts

Mix dry ingredients, then blend in butter with a pastry blender. Add wet ingredients and mix until ALL dry is wet. (don't leave pocket of dry or they will be pockets of dry in the cake)

Put in a 9 x 13 GREASED (buttered) pan. Bake at 400F for 20 mins.

My oven is very old and when a recipe says to cook at 350F, I cook it at 300F; at 400F, I cook at 350F. This is just what I've figured with my oven for everything. Also, if you're cooking with honey keep in mind that you may cook it at a lower temp., but for longer will work better than the opposite as you will burn it and it will not be cooked in the middle (that's what I did with the peanut butter cake...once it comes out more than 2 times and I know what I did, I'll write out that recipe as well.)

Let me know if you try this, how it turned out and if you like it/plan on making it again. Thank you!! :)

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Today is my birthday! The electricity was out again for almost 2 hours and I was able to catch up on most of the laundry & various upkeep and cooking. I was able to visit with my Gramma and she was telling me of her sister-in-law that keeps her own house, but says she just "can't" cook; so she has her daughter (Gramma's neice) come to cook lunch and dinner. I also am amazed at how much she does - at 95 years!! I am reminded of the verse:

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

HONOUR THY FATHER AND MOTHER; which is the first commandment with promise;

THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH THEE, AND THOU MAYEST LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH."

Ephesians 6:1-3

also found in:

Exodus 20:12

Deuteronomy 5:16

Matthew 15:4

Mark 7:10

Mark 10:19

Luke 18:20

So what do you think is the secret to long life??!!

So, I dwell on these things:

"O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

Psalm 139:1-6

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

One Week Meal Plan

Here I am once again, planning meals. I didn't make everything from the 2 week meal plan.
In no particular order:


>Chicken Pot Pie
>Cream of Broccoli Soup with Biscuits
~Delicious Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup 12/14 D & 12/15 L & 12/16 D
>Hamburger Skillet
~Biscuits and Gravy 12/11 L
>Baked Sweet Potatoes
>Pizza
~Tuna Alfredo & Spaghetti with Mozerella 12/11 D
~ Baked Russet Potatoes (like sweet) 12/12 D & 12/17 D
(~ meals made, L lunch, D dinner)

This is the recipe I found that someone else had made & I went by their picture and came up with this wonderful thing!!

Sweet Potatoes
Onions
Garlic
Basil
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil

Chop up everything. Add alot more spices then you think. Put oil in bottom of pan & drizzle over everything. Bake in oven at 350F for 1/2 hour. *that's what I did, I don't know what the recipe says...it was from allrecipes (dot) com.

I have leftover pizza sauce, so that's one reason why I'm making it again. It was flatter than any New York Pizza I've ever seen. Maybe it was a streetroller that went over it. I think I'll stick with a pastry crust and make mini pizza this time.

I am so pleased to write out my menu for you'all, I have really been doing well in this area because I must post! I just finished making a Peanut Butter Cake, but I guess next time I'll be tweaking the temp and time! I've also made a wonderful (for those who like it) Pumpkin Pie Cake that is sooo moist and yummy with whole wheat flour and honey!!

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

"And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart."

Psalms 104:14-15

A Bushel of Wheat, A Bushel of Rye...

Who's not ready, holler...."I"!

Yup, I've been tagged! This is fun, especially since it's only 4 questions.

I forgot to say who tagged me!! Happy in the Home!! Thanks so much, I had lotsa fun!!

1. What did you accomplish this past week?

*I have been keeping a good meal plan (dinners) and actually getting it done and still feeding the family the rest of the day as well!

*I have knitted so much and planned on so much more, all as a reward for getting my chores done!

2. Did anything not go as expected?

*The electricity was knocked out by an ice storm for 7 hours & we were so excited that we have the wood stove, where we did warm leftovers on the top as well as water for tea! We talked of what others did "back in the day" & enjoyed lots of flashlight time and children learning to be quiet in the stillness!

3. What was the highlight of your week?

*Probably the electricity going out, but then again, when it came back on!! I had been wondering how long it was going to last, since I had not only laundry, but DIAPERS to wash!!

4. Did anything exciting happen that you did not expect?

*My MIL was in a car accident, but is just bruised. Their car is totaled!

All in all, a great week, sleeping more hours at night, keeping up with training, cooking, not laundry, knitting, ummmm...yeah...that stuff! I hope that's an adequate tag. I don't feel comfortable tagging anyone else, but if ya want me to, let me know.

...so, anyone up for a game of hopscotch?!

Another Post?!

I was reminded of this great quote : "Assume nothing...assign everything" that has helped with how I do much with all the babies crying at the same time!!

#1 has started folding and putting away the laundry - never having been asked or told to!

She says, "I wanted to help you, mama."

#2 on most occassions takes charge of #5, carrying her out of the kitchen (during baking times), playing with her & picking up a room without being asked or told!!

#3 (ok, about 1/2 the time) says, "I'm going to be obedient and take my nap so that you will say, 'Good job!' 'What a blessing!'" and proceeds to do so!!

#4 is quick to volunteer to do a job (even assigned to someone else), saying, "Me, me, I will, let me!" and running to help. She also shares her bottle & feeds #5 on her own.

#5 comes to the laundry room and holds out her hands to help put the clean clothes in the dryer & can!! Also helps often to pick up the toys and put them away!!

These are the big things that come to mind, but they constantly are like this. I guess I am in amazement seeing the work of encouraging to help with chores, because this is what we do, has paid off tremendously!! All children 6 and under!!

Are we perfect? Are our children perfect? (Long pause...hehe) NO! We all have our days where the world is upside-down, but the majority of our problems are solved by eating the next meal, being reminded to say things kindly (Please or No Thank You) no matter what happens to you, or just going to bed!

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

Proverbs 15:1

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

I just want to encourage you to keep going with doing what is right! Blessings will abound!

Weekly Memory Verse

Proverbs 9:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

We are enjoying memorizing the Word!! It is truly refreshing!! We are able to have the 2 older children memorize and write out the verse - a great penmanship practice and vocabulary lesson!! William Morris : Acanthus Leaves

In meal planning: Not having assigned days helped with flexibility. I have the option of making what our tastebuds want and it disappears so much faster!!

You can see, updated on the same post, what we've already had, with leftovers as lunches and next day dinners a couple of times. I don't include snacks, because that's dependant upon what we have as a meal and what's left to make.

SNACKS:

~Berry drink (made with homemade yogurt, orange juice, pineapple, banana, and a berry-straw or rasp usually)

~Nuts and Berries (apricots, prunes, raisins, walnuts-those are the standard-with a slice of cheese and some cracker or chip if available)

~Fresh Fruit

~Leftover B'fast breads (Chocolate, Pumpkin, Spice, Nut) or Cookies with milk

~Carrot Sticks and Celery (rarely with homemade sour cream'n'onion dip and peanut butter-use p.b. in cookies often enough and s.c. is a special treat)

Weekly Memory Verse

Proverbs 19:21

"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand."

I thought I'd try memorizing with others. I am also including, at least dd#1 in this. She's already read the verse, even the "big" word: nevertheless!!

You can join us with this verse for the week at In Light of the Truth.

That's Cool!

Today, I am exactly 1/2 way through this pregnancy! I couldn't figure out the baby due date calculator. It showed I was 20 weeks/140 days & 20 weeks/140 days to go! Interesting.

In other news, I made my 2 weeks meal plan again. I didn't assign days, yet.

(Updated Dec. 4th & 6th)

*Meatloaf & Mashed Spuds

Grilled Cheese & Leftovers

*Meat Turnovers

Hamburger Skillet

*Pizza

Canneloni

Chicken Noodle Soup*Cream of Broccoli

*Tacos

Spaghetti & Mini Meatballs

Chili

Bread (Double Batch)

*Pumpkin Muffins/Banana/*Nut Bread/*Spice Bread

Oatmeal Cookies/*Chocolate Muffins

Noodles

*Biscuits

*Crepes

Pita Bread

(*Meals made)

Yeah, I know it's a little on the ambitious side, but I was feeling energetic and thought if it continues I'll be able to do this!!

Menu is different from the last planning because my siatic nerve was pinched and I could do only so much and couldn't move at all. I also dropped a ceramic crock bowl on my foot.

Praise the Lord, I am healed!! I'm just glad that I had made HUMONGOUS amounts of food (I made 12 qts Rice Stew-lunches and not quite as much chili) that's why the chili is at the bottom of the list and Rice Stew won't be seen for a LONG time!!

This evening I made LOTS of baked potatoes! 10 pounds of potatoes can dissappear when little fingers are around! So, here they are:

I peel and slice them, put them on an oil covered pan, salt and pepper, bake at 425F for approx. 15-20 mins. and that's it. Even baked sweet potatoes, but they were almost in the dessert catagory.

I need to go knit-making a mad dash before the end of the month! You can see my progress here.

"...But the Fire's So Delightful"

We are staying very warm!! My dear hubby finished installing a wood stove. It is such a blessing!! This is our very first real fire-place.

We've or rather my hubby again (I was watching a little)has made yogurt. The first time it came out perfect and the second time it was just about the same.

Here's what we did:

Raw milk in 1/2 gal jars

Put jars in large double-bottom pot (16qt) in lukewarm/cool water

Add starter (dannon plain yogurt) to milk approx. 1/4 cup per 1/2 gal of milk

Warm slowly to 108-112 degrees Fahrenheit, no less-will take a long time to set, no more-will kill the starter.

Leave for approx. 5 hours (it started to separate, which means it "cooked" for too long)

Put jars in refrig. and eat when cold.

*The 2nd time we heated the milk (to supposedly kill the "bad" stuff that fights the yogurt culture) added the started and let "cook" for about as long. It came out tart and a little less set!

So that's what we've been doing. And it did snow for Thanksgiving. Just flurries, but it was gone as fast as it came.

Encouragement for the Holidays

Not everyone celebrates the same holidays, but there are plenty of get together times. Here is a great reminder of what we should do no matter what we do!!

2 Week Meal Plan

Ok, I'm putting my menu here this time...maybe to some certain extent it will keep me accountable and help me do better!! This is my attempt at a 2 week rotating menu. We eat leftovers for lunches, so it's kinda like 28 (if they're all there) meals. Okie Dokie...here goes.

Thursday: Bisquits 'n' Beef Gravy

Friday: Rice Stew 'n' Tuna

Saturday: Meatloaf 'n' Mshd Spuds

Sunday: Leftovers (from Saturday)

Monday: Quick Quiche / Bread

Tuesday: Chili 'n' Cornbread

Wednesday: Hommus 'n' Corn Shapes

Thursday: Crockpot Roast 'n' Potatoes

Friday: Chicken Pot Pie

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Leftovers (from Saturday)

Monday:

Tuesday: Tacos

Wednesday:

Ok, 2 blanks, not bad. I'll figure out something. I know, it's Monday already!!

I was doing well planning the last few meals that I included them.

Yes, this is all made from scratch, no canned anything. This is taking into account laundry days, everyday chores and homeschooling. We'll see how this one works.

I just couldn't resist!!

Some bloggers share too many bad days. Regular ol' bad days. It's anyone's "right" and it's their blog. So, since this is my blog I thought I'd post this...hehe. Smile anyway...it ONLY helps!!

In The Last 10 Days

Am I really caught up on the laundry, again?! I didn't realize how much one can accomplish when modivated with knitting. After taking the night to blog (and not knit) I'll have a little bit of catching up to do in the dishes. You see, if I was going to knit, I would have made sure to get the dishes done during the day!!

I need to make Honey-Oat Bread and I think I'll be making Banana Bread-since the bananas are turning brown and I'm sick of the 80 cookies I made yesterday! (I didn't eat all of them and there are a few left.) I made some yummy soup that was just missing the little alphabet letters. Maybe next time. The children's eyes lite up when I mentioned alphabet soup and they started to ramble about spelling and reading while eating. Ok, now I'm really really really hungry....mmmmmm, soup...mmmmmmmmmm doughnuts!! LOL, Yes, I still have cravings!!



And dh had been able to do so much!! He tiled and put in the side door. That is sooo simply put, for those of you who have done these jobs know there are several steps before "just putting in tile" or "just putting in a door".


The 1st pic: Taking out the wood floor (gasp) to the edge of where we wanted the tile. 2nd pic: More than half way done tiling.
3rd pic: Door framing partly done. It's now complete, but I'll get better pics later.

One Year Today

Isn't it amazing how time flies?! Well, I received a birthday present today. I was encouraged by others, and hopefully encouraged someone also!! I am all caught up on the laundry and cleaning and most of the dishes, that I feel like I'm on a mini-vacation!

So, I need to come back and start my meal prep (thaw hamburger, soak beans for Tacos) and planning. This cooler weather definitely helps me bake, cook and make more yummy meals.

What do you have to show for your time?

As you know, I've picked up knitting again. As I went to a zillion sites, I really, really wanted to have already done what these women have done. I want to be able to knit so quickly that I can turn out something for my family when it's needed. I was even starting to complain (gasp!) and ask God why all these women have time (whether with or without children) and I didn't. I knew I did, but my time seemed to be allotted to mainly child rearing, cooking, cleaning and laundry and blessing my husband. Then the Lord showed me how much time I spent online. Good reading, encouragement, inspiring time, but I had NOTHING to show for it. I was using the "when I get my work done or need to sit and nurse, then I'll go online" excuse. I do well, but I yet had nothing to show for my time. I was reminded of a story my mom told me about a woman who had a friend visit her once a week and they would show each other the progress of their handwork. One visit, the younger woman told the other that she took the week off...she wanted to catch up on her reading. The older (and wiser) woman pointed out that the younger had nothing to show for her time and remanded her with:

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." I Thess. 4:11-12

(Yes, I did rearrange that story, but that's probably the best way for me to remember it!) So, the moral of the story, well, you can decide for yourself how it may apply to you. I will be knitting for a while...what will you be doing??

***There is no substitute for reading the Word of God!! Do take the time to read and refresh your soul!!

"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness." I Tim. 4:7

New Blog

I decided to devote another space to my handwork. Please visit it here. I may be posting there more than here, we'll see.

KNITTING!!

Ok, once again I am knitting. I wanted to post the pics of what I started, but the batteries needed charging. So, instead of drooling over everyone else's projects, I've started a pair of socks. It is my 2nd pair ever. My first pair I made in 5 days in February of 1999. They are worn through the balls of the foot and heels, but I've found I can take apart that and knit it into another pair!!!! I forgot how easy it is...but then again, I've not gotten to the heel yet. I'm glad I made my own notes the first time, but I will be looking up how to decrease and such! If I am able to stick with this and really begin to get the projects done, then I may have to devote another blog just to handwork!! That's just more motivation to get off the computer and start getting EVERYTHING done!!

Ok, batteries are charged and pics taken.

This is my sock (I mean, my dh's sock) with #4's toes. And here is the scarf, wrap, sweater, I dunno what 'cause I haven't decided. I think I'm just going to finish this ball (there is one more ball left) and make something else with the last. It's acrylic, but it's brown...mmmmmm...chocolate!

Ok, that's all for now...gonna sit 'n' knit.

Tea sounds good right now, too!!

Help?!

My computer is "acting up". I can't seem to fix the ActiveX so it runs. If anyone knows how to help, please let me know. Everything is already enabled, but I can only post and not change my side-bar things. Thanks :)

Need to change the mouse...

If it were possible to get one with a walking toddler.

#5 is now walking, just about 6 steps at a time.

She gets up and cheers herself and stands and claps, laughs, then toddles over blubbering "I did it, I did it, I did it!" with each step!!

The Woodshed

I'm not sure if I've seen this site before, but it was refreshing to read!