Backwoods Living with the Foxfire Woman

I've Been Busy again in the Kitchen.......

Today was bread baking day !! I can't believe how long it has been since I made bread. I guess almost a month.

Now please don't start fussing at me yet. I have good reasons as to why.........first I came down sick for well over 10 days..........then I was busy ( lol )........then I had to get everything ready for Girls Camp ( I am the leader of this) and then go to Girls Camp.............Then I was sick again with the "stomach bug"................

Yeah, that is pretty much what my husband was saying about my excuses........Just no good reason for not making bread.

So guess what I did ???? I did it up right this time..............

I made a total of 4 loaves of bread.........12 large dinner rolls...........8 smaller serving size dinner rolls..

......and two loaves of twisty bread with cheese.........I really need to look up the real name for this bread.

If you look good in the pictures you will also see the home-made Salsa I made yesterday !!!!

Yea, tomorrow I am going back to just good ole house work.  I believe I now need to clean my kitchen really good. To help me out I will be using the new lesson that Martha Greene just posted on the Home Maker's Mentor group. It is called "KITCHEN SPARKLE !" part one.  The second part will be ready just a little later on.

If you would like to clean kitchen the way I am going to do, just go over to Home Maker's Mentor and sign up today for a monthly membership. We are having lots of fun and learning so much !!!!

**The above bread was made with the recipes from Martha Greene's BreadBasket Cookbook !!

I have books For Sale.........

I have the following set. They are like -new, no writing, no tears and from a smoke-free, pet-free home. I would like to take non-credit PayPal but will accept a money order or check (will hold till clear). Media Mail is included in Prices listed.

Abeka Items 3^rd Grade:

Our American History- Student text

TE also with text answers

Set- $15.00

Health Safety & Manners 3

Students text

Answer Key to Text

Test  Quiz & Worksheet Key

Set- $15.00

Exploring God’s World 3 (Science)

Student Text

TE with text answers

Test, Quiz & Worksheet Key

Student Test, Quiz and Worksheets (Chapters 1-3 missing :4-10 still new)

Set- $20.00

Saxon Math 4^th Grade

This set is just like the ones for 1^st – 3^rd grade. Not for sale from Saxon (this is used in schools only)

TE 3-ring binder (larger) everything needed to teach the course

Student Workbooks 1 & 2 ( bk 1 is missing the first 25 lessons out of a totel of 140 lessons in all.)

If you loved the first 3 grades of Saxon, this is great to use before entering into Saxon’s older levels of text books.

Set- $35.00

ALSO:

A Handbook for Reading #31070

Paths to Adventure #55697

FootPrints #56391

Primary Bible Reader #53694

Crossroads # 56448

Pilgrim Boy #56480

Secret in the Maple Tree #56502

Better Bridges #56529

World of Wonder #56464

All of these sell new at $8.95 and two of them at $9.95.

I am asking for $4.50 each or $38.00 for the set.

Just let me know if you would like to buy any of these. Please email directly. I have these listed on other places and I will sell to the first buyer I hear from.

Thank you !!!

Simple Hospitality.......

(This is a reposting from last year.)

( I saw that someone else here at HSB was reading the book.) 

Simple Hospitality......It really can be simple!!

I have been reading the book written by Jane Jarrell, titled, "Simple Hospitality". I thought I might share a little of it with you here each day.

I really enjoyed reading this one thing that she wrote about using the letters that spell out the word "hospitalty". So today we look at the H.

H--Hospital For The Soul

Why does one go to the hospital? To visit, maybe, or to welcome a new person into the world. But oftentimes it's because our bodies are broken.A hospital can be a place to go for healing and repair.

So the word hospitable is taken from the word hospital, which means a charitable institution, a repair shop, a hospice, or a shelter. Hospitality is a shelter for the soul, healing for the spirit. So when we open our home in the true spirit of hospitality or when we bring our gifts of hospitality outside of our homes, we are offering hospitality!!

The Bible states it this way: Romans 12:9-13, "Let love be without dissimulation.....v10, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;. .vs12, Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; vs13, Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."

So real Christian hospitality isn't an option, it is what God commands.

Tomorrow, we will move on to the next letter "O".

Today I will cover "O" & "S", Since I did not have time to do it yesterday. So here we go!!

O-Obedience

Some may think focusing on hospitality is frivolous or a waste of time. But in reality it is nothing less than obeying God's clear command in Scripture. Hospitality was not Martha Stewart's invention; it was God's!! Romans 12 paints an incredible picture of what it means to truely give our lives to God......In these selfless acts, we serve not only those in need but Christ Himself. Hospitality is obeying God by cheerfully serving others.

S-Simplicity

If we don't approach hospitality simply, most of us won't do it at all. When we exchange the harried hoopla for the heartfelt, everyone is blessed. Can we be comfortable when everything is not perfect, or do we always need to put on a show for people? As one lady states "I don't want to buy your house, I just want to visit." Simplicity brings us closer to having authentic relationships. Our fucus is on our guests, not on the "stuff" that surrounds us.

(All of the above is taken from the book, Simple Hospitality, written by Jane Jarrell.)

Come back Monday for "P" !!

Simple Hospitality......It really can be simple!!

I have not forgotten this, I just have been busy around the house. That is why I am a home-keeper. Now Back to the series on Hospitality......

P--Prayer

Hospitality involves prayer. Ask God to show you who and how to show hospitality to. God will show you the when, the how, and the what that someone might need. I may not know what a person needs at the time but God knows!! You should always ask God for His blessing on the gathering you are about to have with someone, no matter how small or large the number will be.

I--Intimacy

Intimacy is sharing who you are and what you are to others. You need this type of relationship with your husband, your family and your friends, but nurturing genuine intimacy takes time and effort.

Cell phones and emails are nice, but we need to take time to sit quietly with a friend sometimes. You never know where they are at or what they may need.. Time plus realness plus genuine caring equals intimacy.

(all of this is taken from the book "Simple Hospitality" written by Jane Jarrell.)

Simple Hospitality......It really can be simple!!

T--To Go

Are you ready to take your kindness on the road? Do you have a plan or list of ideas that will work in a hurry?

Keep a few recipes with the ingredients on hand so that you can prepare a meal or a welcoming treat for someone in need.

There is something extra-special about busy people who take the time to reach out and help others.

A--Acknowledge and Appreciate

We all have our own gifts, but what about those who are known for the hospitality? They also need a "dose" of hospitality sometimes. They need to be acknowledged for their kindness, appreciated for the efforts and recipients of the hospitality of others.

Most of us are "takers' by nature and unless we make a conscious effort, we"ll always take and forget to give back. Those who are more "givers", either by nature or intent, often get taken for granted.

In our busy lives, gratitude is often felt yet not expressed.

L--Lifestyle

Hospitality is a lifestyle, a ministry lifestyle. God weaves it into our hearts. We all need each other to make the body of Christ its best. You are making the commitment to a lifestyle of opening up your heart to others on a regular basis.

You will need to start small, perhaps by committing to one act of hospitality each month. Gradually you will see how easy it is and move towards once a week and before you know it you will be asking God to show you someone in need everyday!!

Take time to ask God to show you how He might use you today, this week or this month. You are allowing God to work through you and when He is working , we can not fail.

I will write about the last three letters tomorrow. Don't forget to come back and read.

The Last Part on "Simple Hospitality ......

I--Ideas

When looking for ideas for hospitality, scan your favorite magazines, talk with your friends or keep a simple notebook or card file with your favorite recipes, holiday decorating ideas, party themes, or anything else that spurs your hospitality thinking. Just keep it simple, and honest. Let God's love show through you and that will be all that you need to make any time a good time to visit.

T--Time

We are all short on time for the things that we want to do or need to do. That is why hospitality is such a valuable gift to others. It means we gave them our most precious resource: our time.

Think of things to do for hospitality for others when you are doing for your family. Double a casserole for dinner one night and freeze the one for a family that may be in need, or a mother who may be sick at the time.

When baking cookies for your family, bake a few more to brighten someone's day. Out buying groceries? Cut back on one thing or two for snacks and make up a meal for a new mom.

If your time is limited, begin your quest to hospitality with small things and think about other ways that you will want to show it when your time allows for it.

Y--You

To show hospitality to others, you must first love yourself so that you are capable of loving others. This means taking care of yourself so that you are able to take care of others.When we've taken the time to put our own hearts in order, we are freed to reach beyond ourselves to meet others where they are.

More....Simple Hospitality.....

Tuesday Morning Here........

Well, where to began ? I have a lot that needs to be done. I just don't have it in me to get started. It is that time of year again that they like to call "The lazy dazy days of Summer"  You know?

Oh, I have a "To-List" that is a mile long. I have projects that I would love to get moving on. I have quilts that it would be nice to work on and finish................. My husband reminded me that I needed to bake bread this morning..........I have jobs that I need to tend to here on the computer ( I am working I promise, incase you are reading this "boss")............... Today is grocery shopping day, and I need to make out my menu for the next two weeks or so...........

So what am I doing to get all this going for the day?.............Well first when my husband left for work this morning at 6:30 am, I rolled over and went back to sleep when I know I should have just gotten up. I did not wake up untl 8:00 am when he called me to remind of me something........That was my first mistake........Next I fixed me a bowl of cereal and sat down to watch some of the morning news and did not get back up till about 9:00am,,,,,,,,,,,,and here I am now.........visiting my blog and seeing what everyone else is doing...........

Well the President is on TV with a "Special Report".......I need to go listen. Who knows what they are getting ready to do next.  As for me, I plan to keep praying for my husband and our family. God knows our needs before we even know them. God provides for His own and we shall never want for any of our needs.  God loves me like I was His only child ( that goes for you too !) .......

Yea, I am good for today. What about you?

Home Making Schedule.........

HOMEMAKING SCHEDULE

DAILY

1.     Make Beds

2.     Pick Up Bedrooms

3.     Spot Clean Bathrooms

4.     Laundry – 2 Loads (At Least)

5.     Sweep Kitchen and Dining Room Floors

6.     Clean Up Kitchen (Dishwasher included)

7.     Pick Up Each Room in the House

WEEKLY

1.     Clean Floors in All Rooms

2.     Dust Every Room

3.     Clean Bath Rooms Completely

4.     Wipe Down Everything in Kitchen

5.     Finish All Laundry for Everyone

Boy oh Boy !!!! Where is the time going?

Summer is in full swing around here and boy am I tired already !!  Why is it that we find more to do then we have time for during the summer months?

It seems no matter how hard I try, we hardly ever eat supper till 6:30 or 7:00 pm. That is just too late to be eating for me but I seem to be so busy during the afternoon that the time slips up on me. Now I know that some will say because it stays daylight longer in the summer, but I don't know if that is it. I seem to be on the same schedule no matter if it is light or dark.

On another note, we have been putting up apples. I mean plenty of apples. It all started the other day when I was at my parents house. My dad ask me if I would like to take home a few apples. I said yea, sure. He brings out a plastic bag FULL !!!  Okay, I am thinking, fine, fine, I will just peel, slice and put them up in the freezer until I need to make a pie or cake........No problem.

Well, I get my daughter to help out with getting these put up before it is too late. We made it, no problem. But yesterday, my mom calls to say that my dad is on his way over to bring us more apples......WHAT ???

He is already on his way and it is about a 30 - 40 minute drive.....I just look at my daughter and said, "Well we do have room in the freezer right?".....Guess what he brings us this time.......A Big brown bag FULL !!!! Yes, to the top !!!   So guess where I am going to buy this morning? I am heading to Target to get me one of those fancy Apple corer, peeler, slicer thingy!!!  It is about $15.99 and to me ........it will be worth it !!

Oh, did I tell you that OUR apple tree is ready for us to pick !!!!

Until next time............

More Summer Recipes.....

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

3 med green tomatoes

1/4 c cornmeal

1/4 c Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp all purpose flour

3/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/8 tsp pepper

1 egg, beaten

1/4 c veg. oil

Salt

Slice the tomatoes 1/4 in thick. Lightly sprinkle tomatoes with salt. Drain on paper towels for 30 to 60 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine cornmeal, Parmesan cheese, flour, garlic salt oregano and pepper in a shallow plate or dish. Dip each tomato slice into the egg, then the cornmeal mixture. In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium high. Fry tomatoes a few at a time for 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel and serve immediately.

Old Fashioned Lemonade

6 lemons

1 1/2 c sugar

2 1/2 qts. ice water

Wash lemons; slice thin. Place in a stainless or enamel flat container. Add sugar. Pound with mallet to squeeze juice from lemon rings. Stir to make syrup. Let stand 20 minutes. Add water to pitcher after putting in beaten lemons. Stir well. Serve within 6 hours.

Rustic Cottage is having a "Give Away" .....

Hey everyone, head over to Rustic Cottage for her Soap Giveway. You have till Friday night to get in on it !!

A Change in my Menu .....

If you have been reading along with me with my menu on the sidebar, I have changed my item for supper tonight.

I am going with the Crock-Pot Black Bean Chicken and I have listed the recipe below.

Let me know what you think !!!

A Great Summer Recipe !!!

CrockPot Black Bean Chicken

16oz jar of Salsa

2 large chicken breast

1 can pinto beans, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1 can corn, drained

1 can Rotel, undrained

Spray a large crock-pot for easy clean-up. Put the black beans, corn and half of the salsa in the bottom of the pot. Put the chicken in next (frozen is fine). Top with pinto beans, Rotel and rest of salsa. Cook on low all day or high for 3-4 hours. When chicken is cooked, remove from crock-pot and shred with two forks. Put shredded chicken back into crock-pot and mix with other ingredient thoroughly.

Serve over chopped lettuce with tomatoes, sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips. This can also be served over rice or rolled up in tortillas. Yields about 8 cups.

( I used frozen corn and I don’t like to use can beans, so I prepare my beans first and then use in the recipe.)

I also double this recipe for my family and to have left overs  for the next days lunch.