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.

Welcome Baby!!

Baby Boy was born!

Tuesday, March 25th

5:10am

7pounds, 8ounces

21"long

We're doing well & I hope to type the birth story for the other site. Still very busy and probably won't be blogging much (my comp. is off the internet), but still getting much done. I usually surf my buddies' sites to see how they're doing, so I'm not completely gone. Many blessings to all of you & enjoy the wonderful spring!!

Memory Verse

Romans 15:13

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

One Day at a Time

Officially waiting for baby's arrival. I had amazing energy and clear thinking last night and most of today. I made the potatoe soup & naan, then today made a big batch of chili and cornbread. I've even prepped for pumpkin bread for breakfast tomorrow! Not to mention (but I guess I am mentioning) a thorough vacuuming, learning planned for children -complete with sticker charts, spending time with children, two loads of dishes (anyone volunteering for the pans?), and I can't think of anything else right now.

I had gone downhill for the past week, culminating with trying to get out of bed this morning. It wasn't a pinched nerve (sciatic) or even contractions, but my lower back hurt so bad I had to crawl out of the room, much to the delight of #5 who came to pat me on the back & tickle me.

Most of the morning it hurt, but was getting better as the day went. I noticed that the contractions didn't hurt, helped with the back pain and gave me lots of energy!! So, now I seem to be getting things done while I have contractions - I don't think anyone knows how many contractions I have all day long!! There is rarely a time when I don't, they're usually every 10 mins for hours, I notice when I don't have them!! So...the real reason for the post, PICTURES:)

I'm sorry I can't get exact spacing so you could really compare. The left is a little to the front & taken from a sitting position. The right is almost exactly from my side taken from a standing position. Thought you'd like to see me. The sweater is the same size as the pink/red striped one in this post. I'm looking at that picture and laughing!!

Meal Planning

I saw these recipes here & it sounded so very good, so I made them!!

Potatoe Soup & Naan Bread

My soup had no "rivils" or white flour & I ended up adding Garlic, Celery and Carrots. I made 10 pounds of potatoes...so, I guess this is lunch for tomorrow as well.

The Naan Bread was so yummy!! I had to keep the children from eating it all! I used whole wheat flour baked at 375F for 10 mins. without flipping or turning.

Easy, satisfying, yummy, good- for- me meal!

I'm Still ONE!

At the end of my pregnancies, my mom would ask me if I was still one. It was the easy, polite, sweethearted way of asking if the baby had been born yet. You'll haveta go here if you want a bit more info.
I haven't really moved over to my new site. We moved dh's computer across the room & we finally had time to hook up the old one for me. I enjoy all the pictures I haven't seen for quite a while! Today was the first time the internet worked on this one AND I had time to type a little.
You can go over here for all the things I've been knitting since I didn't have computer time!
Other than that, I've been busy setting up frozen prep foods for dh to make meals easily. I've tried a whole meal frozen, but have not had a good product once defrosted!!
This time, I prepped the veggies (onions, carrots, celery, broccoli and also soaked-then-cooked beans) that can be made or added to just about anything and make it taste yummy.
We just rented from the library "SuperSize Me". Aside from the frequent bad language, the majority of the documentary is a wonderful reminder of what we don't want to do=eat processed foods!
We had just gone through the holidays eating "home-cooked" junk food. White flour and sugar for our bread and cookies made us completely messed up, from our attitudes to our sleep patterns and habits, our daily goings-on, and more! We are back on track for right eating and we are more productive, sleeping better, and are happy people (even if we do have a bit of cabin fever)!
Just for me I'm so glad to be rid of all this (and this is what I saw in myself & didn't like!!)
*constipation
*headache
*nausea (NOT preg. related)
*swelling (NOT preg. related)
*irritability
*depression
*lethargy
And, yes, it is not because of being pregnant and hormones, etc, (my children and husband are not expecting and these were their problems as well as my own!), but the white flour and sugar because we stopped for a bit & started to be better in all areas, but thought we'd give in once again (com'on give up chocolate??!!) & it compounded our problems which have once again gone, since fleeing those bad habits!!

So, if you think that you're eating just fine, watch the movie...watch it again...learn/remember what happens when we don't take care of what God has entrusted in our care!

*yes, we did let the children see most of this movie. They already know the benefits of eating right...they remind their mama & papa! :)

Moving...in the Blog-o-sphere

I've moved my blogging over to Wordpress, but I just did so, I'll let you know where (not the same name, hehe) in a couple/few days.
Quick Update: Everyone is fine, healthy & yes, the computer and office have been moved across the room.
Still keeping up on everyday & now figuring out the new blog's layout & whatnots.

Why did I move?
Because I can...really, I saw many others who had blogger move to different places & my new page looks clean and neat and organized by comparison to this one.

Ok, it's late 'n' there's still lots to do & more tomorrow also. See ya soon.

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!!