*** Bake Me A Wish ***
Posted on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 07:16 by ~Rebekah~ - Link
I've just added a link to "Operation Birthday Cake". Purchase one Freedom Cake and One Soldier will recieve a birthday cake of their own FREE while they're serving overseas. Celebrate YOUR FREEDOM over the summer by splurging on a cake to make a soldiers day away from their families.
Each cake is gourmet made with the finest Ingrediants including a message made of belgian chocolate.
******If you can't afford to purchase a cake in full, please think about donating a dollar or two to the cause in honor of our veterans who have been fighting for our freedoms and whom could use some encouragement and joy on their birthday.
Happy Independence Day
A Treat for Star-Gazers
Posted on 2008-Jul-3 at 10:36 by Kim Wolf<>< - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link
Here's a real treat for all of us amateur star-gazers! Homeschool blogger, "Jay from Cleveland", has a neat presentation up on his OTHER blog, http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/classicalastronomy/555979, of the July sky in animation. Be sure to click on the link above, watch the presentation and THEN go out tonight and see how many you can find!
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
TONS of Books & Curriculum FOR SALE
Posted on 2008-Jul-3 at 04:59 by OurLittleHomestead - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link
FOR SALE : Tons of Books, CD's and Curriculum that I need to clear off my shelves--all priced to move! Paypal. Media Mail shipping or expedited shipping and/or insurance at buyers choice/expense.
Please contact me at Lisa@HomesteadOriginals.com
Thanks!
Lisa
HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM (all BRAND NEW!)
KONOS In a Bag : RUSSIA (full kit! brand new!) $25.00
Veritas Press ; GENESIS THRU JOSHUA (like new with cards!) $20.00
Art Basics for Children - Visual Manna $10.00
Visual Manna's Master Drawing $10.00
Barker Creek's :Draw Write Now Book 6 Animals & Habitats $5.00
Christian Kids Explore Biology: Bright Ideas Press $20.00
Rod n Staff English 9/10 Teacher Book only—BRAND NEW---$15.00
Rod n Staff English 5 Teacher and Student books $15.00 set (these are used--but still in good/decent shape!)
Rod n Staff English 3 Teacher and Student books $15.00 set (these are used--but still in good shape!)
Rod n Staff English 2 Teacher and Student books $15.00 set (these are used--but still in goodshape!)
ABEKA : Our America Student and Teacher Book Set $10.00
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY PRESS : Our Fathers World Student & Teacher Book Set $10.00
Bob Jones Press : A Servants Heart : Bible Truths 2 TEACHER EDITION $15.00
Books: (Used--but in good or great shape!)
Story of Liberty (BRAND NEW!) $10.00
Mama’s Torah (BRAND NEW) $5.00
Alice in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll $2.00
Red Cap : G. Clifton Wisler $2.00
The Race : Golden Filly Series Book 1 by Lauraine Snelling $1.00
Eagles Wings : Golden Filly Series Book 2 by Lauraine Snelling $1.00
Worldwide Guide to Homeschooling : Dr. Brian Ray $2.50
Homeschooling:The Journey is the Reward : Pamela Berthume $3.00
If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy : Lindsey O'Connor $3.00
Homeopathic Medicine for Children & Infants : Dana Ullman $3.00
New Concise Bible Dictionary: Derek Williams (hardcover/dust jacket) $2.00
The Purpose Driven Life : Rick Warren (hardcover/dust jacket) $3.00
Walking Wisely : Charles Stanley (hardcover/dust jacket) $3.00
The Kingdom Series: Kingdoms Quest Book 5 : Chuck Black $3.00
Civil War Ghosts : Daniel Cohen $2.50
Left Behind : Tim LaHaye / Jerry Jenkins $2.50
Just Like Jesus : Max Lucado $2.50
Molly Saves the Day (American Girls Series) $2.00
Happy Birthday Kirsten (American Girls Series) $2.00
Cherokee Animal Tales : George F. Scheer $3.50
Black Beauty (shorter childrens version-hardcover) MJ Carr $1.00
The Sleepytime Ponies Trick a Trickster : Lana Jordan (hardcover/dust jacket--signed by author) $2.50
HISTORY OF US : Liberty for All BOOK 5; Joy Hakim $7.00
Savage Sam : Fred Gipson $2.50
From Submarine to Steamboat: Robert Fulton (hardcover/dust jacket) $5.00 (brand new--!)
A Survivors Guide to Homeschooling : Luanne Shackelford & Susan White $2.50
The Tightwad Gazette II : Amy Dacyczyn (Hardcover) $2.50
Nightlight For Parents : James Dobson (hardcover/dust jacket) $2.50
365 Days of Celebration & Praise : Julie Lavender $2.50
The New Nation (A History of the US) Teaching Guide 3rd Ed. $5.00
Pagan Christianity : Frank Viola & George Barna (hardcover/dust jacket) $2.50
Super Science Concoctions: Jill Frankel Hauser $4.00
Water Dance : Thomas Locker $2.00 (Hardcover)
Manatee Winter : Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld $2.00 (Hardcover)
The Children’s Book of Home and Family : William J. Bennett $5.00 (Hardcover)
The Harsh Truth about Public Schools : Bruce Shortt $5.00
Millstones & Stumbling Blocks : Bradley Heath $5.00
Message of the Mountain: ABEKA Book $3.00
These Books are from a set-- beautiful leather bound, silk ribbon bookmarked, gold paged classics! $5.00 each OR $30.00 for all !
Michel De Montaigne Essays
The Ambassadors: Henry James
Henrik Ibsen Plays
Candide : Voltaire
Swann's Way : Marcel Proust
The Annals : Tacitus
Faust : Johann Wolfgang VonGoethe
CDs (ALL BRAND NEW!): $3.00 each
Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek Level One, The Reader, Level Two : GREEK N STUFF
Homeschool Dialouges PAUL & GENA SUAREZ-THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE
Secrets of Successful Homeschooling :PAUL & GENA SUAREZ-THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE
Fearfully & Wonderfully Made : ANSWERS IN GENESIS
Hi I'm Riff! (Barney CD)
World Book 2001 Encyclopedia
Sabbath Rest- No Greater Joy
Skill Buidling Buddies Teaching to Children w/ASD
Rainy Day Art (over 30 hands on projects)
Families of Costa Rica
Thanks for looking~
Lisa
Lisa@HomesteadOriginals.com
*** Amish Chicken Loaf ***
Posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 09:14 by ~Rebekah~ - Link
1 (5 pound) chicken, cooked and cubed
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups uncooked rice
2 cups milk
2 cups bread cubes
4 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups diced celery
Stir and mix all ingredients. Spoon into a greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center of the loaf. Serve in slices.
Find this recipe and other Amish recipes at AmishRecipes.net
Deliberate Shopping
Posted on Jul. 1, 2008 at 07:33 PM by HSB Front Porch - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link
Deliberate Shopping
We don’t always have a lot of time. Shopping is time consuming and tedious at best. BUT there is something to be said for deliberate shopping. What is deliberate shopping? Simply put it is taking time to shop. Be conscious of your purchases. Take time to compare prices and check labels for ingredients. Don’t always buy what you know. Right now prices are changing rapidly and frequently. Once a month take time to shop deliberately. Be certain what you are purchasing is the best bang for your buck.
If you do this at least once a month, you will begin to notice you actually enjoy this time of shopping. For me, I cannot do this effectively with others in tow. So, the hubby and I make plans that I will have an hour or so to shop on my own once or twice a month. My future goal is to have time to do this once a week, because the results are bigger savings and a less chaotic mind. This simple activity makes frugal living a blessing in disguise. Make time to do this and your wallet will thank you because your money will be right where it belongs!
These are my thoughts.
Leslie Valeska
~Contributing Writer
Leslie Valeska is the lucky wife of Thomas. With children ranging in ages from 4-16, she has had a lot of time to learn and experience much of the fine art of homemaking. Simple Journey Ministries was established to encourage, support, and inspire women, from all walks of life, to engage and continue on a path of Godly Womanhood. You can visit her at her blog Journey to Simplicity (www.leslievaleska.com/blog), Simple Journey Ministries (www.leslievaleska.com), and Simple Journey Bookstore (www.leslievaleska.com/bookstore)
Zucchini Recipes
Posted on Jul. 1, 2008 at 04:09 AM by HSB Front Porch - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link
Alrighty... You responded and here they are!
Blurose submitted this recipe:
Panzanella (Mediterranean Bread Salad)
Dressing:
1/3 cup EVOO
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. water
2 cloves shallots, peeled and crushed
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
Salad:
4 cups diced zucchini or summer squash
1 Tbsp. oil
4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 large red or sweet onion, chopped
1/4 cup green olives, chopped
1/4 cup black olives, chopped
1 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 large red bell peppers, roasted, peeled and chopped
1 pound bread -chewy bread like baguette
To make the dressing
Put the dressing into a large bowl. Saute the zucchini or summer squash in the oil;use high heat and work quickly, so the squash will brown but will stay somewhat firm. Remove from pan and cool. Chop tomatoes, along with the juice. Put tomatoes and juice in bowl with the dressing, add the remaining chopped veggies and mix well. Can let stand in the fridge for several hours.: Mix the dressing ingredients together and let sit for an hour or so.
To make the salad:
Preparing the bread:Chop bread into 1/2 cubes and toast lightly in oven for 15 minutes -you want chewy not crunchy.
Assemble: About 30 minutes before you serve, add bread cubes and toss.
Ok, here are my changes: First I didn't have any squash ready from the garden so I used some new potatoes from the garden, I just boiled some golf ball sized ones and used them. I also ommitted the red wine vinegar opting instead for browning some garlic in olive oil and using that as a dressing. I cut most ingredients back to half so as to make a smaller amount. I also did not add green olives but did add some fresh grated parmesan (not the powder kind in a plastic can) And lastly I used our fresh milled whole wheat bread as the bread because it is chewy and does not get soggy like store bought bread and it worked out wonderful. If you want a yummy but different than the regular old garden salad -you will just have to try this!
Foggy Mountain Farm's Suggestion:
We love zucchini in stir fry or breaded and fried but also like to shred it to use when making zucchini bread and zucchini muffins...
bu my favorite is Zucchini Relish. I got the recipe from the Ball Blue Book of Home Canning and it's a great way to use up all the extra zucchini. Tastes wonderfully in a bowl of pinto soup beans and some cornbread! YUM!!!
Tiredmamaof5:
We love zucchini! When Our zucchini's come in I try and make most of them into desserts or breads so I can store them in my freezer for winter. I usually make bread, muffins, cakes, whoopie pies, cookies, and bars. They all freeze well.
ZUCCHINI WHOOPIE PIES
1 cup sugar
1 cup grated zucchini
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup crisco
1 egg
2 cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts
Mix together zucchini, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, crisco and egg. Mix dry ingredients together, add milk. Combine until smooth and stir in vanilla and nuts. Drop by TBSP onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 9-10 minutes.
CREAM CHEESE FILLING-----
7 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 TBSP butter
1 lb. confectioners' sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
mix well.
gabbie427:
I like to make zucchini chocolate chip bread.
Belle:
I make Fried Zuchinni and Zuchinni Muffins! They are very tasty!
For Fried Zuchini, I slice the the Zuchinni in rounds, I dip them in egg and flour, then I put them in the skillet with a little vegetable oil, fry them, flip them until both sides are brown, then, they are ready to eat!
Reginascott:
We like to put zucchini in our fajitas and casseroles too. 2 of our other favorites:
Slice lengthwise. A little oil and a little seasoning, then throw on the grill.
zucchini lasagna
slice lengthwise
in bowl combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, about 3 eggs, 3 T breadcrumbs, 3 T parmesan cheese, and about 1/4 teaspoon each of parsley, oregano, and pepper.
Spread some spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a 13 by 9 pan. Cover with about 1/2 the zucchini, ricotta mix, and about 1 C of shredded mozarella. Cover with more sauce and then make another layer. Cover again with sauce.
Sprinkle top with 2-3 T of parmesan and breadcrumbs to liking. Cover and bake on 350 for 45 minutes. uncover, bake 15 more min.
I don't remember where we found that recipe, but we love it.
Fantine:
We've never been successful with squash because of vine borer but, in season, I do purchase it cheaply and in quantity at the local farm market. We love it as follows:
2 medium zucchini
2 yellow straight or crook neck squash
1 large vidalia onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
Wash and slice squash slightly on an angle for largest surface area. Peel and slice onions (separate into rings). Place olive oil and butter in skillet over medium-low heat, and swirl until butter is melted. Increase heat to medium and add garlic, squash and onions. Cook until all are translucent and starting to brown at the squash edges. Sprinkle with tarragon and stir to distribute the tarragon evenly. Serve warm with a sprinkle of sea salt.
We're also big with zucchini bread and zucchini corn muffins!
Chas:
Zucchini Bread
3 1/2 c. plain flour (I use soft white wheat)
1 cup nuts
4 eggs
2 c. sugar (I use sucanat)
2 c. chopped zucchini
1 c. oil
1/2 c. chopped dates
1/2 c. raisins
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
Beat eggs till thick. Add sugar gradually, add oil and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together and beat slow for 3 min. Fold in zucchini and beat a little. Fold in nuts and raisins and dates.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 min or until toothpick comes out clean.
Makes 2 loaves.
ZUCCHINI - CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1 c. brown sugar (I use sucanat)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour (I use soft white wheat)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. coconut
6 oz. chocolate chips
1/2 c. nuts
1/2 c. butter
1 c. zucchini, shredded
Beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. Add all dry ingredients and oatmeal; mix until smooth. Add coconut, chips, nuts and zucchini; mix well. Drop by spoonfuls (same as chocolate chip cookies) on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Vegetable Lasagna
1 Large Zucchini diced
1 Large Onion diced
1 Large Bell Pepper diced
Olive Oil
Several cloves of garlic
2 quarts of tomatoes, diced, crushed, sauce whatever
Basil
Oregano
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Cheese Mixture
1 12 oz. cottage cheese
1 8 oz. ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
basil
pepper
Whole Wheat Noodles
Heat your EVOO in your cast iron skillet. Then add your diced onion and garlic, making sure not to burn. Saute' for a few minutes until tender, add your zucchini and pepper. Saute' that for a few minutes until tender as well. Add your tomatoes. Now add about a tsp of salt, a Tbsp sugar, a few shakes of pepper and then take the basil and crush it in the palm of your hand you probably want about a tablespoon of this. Now do the same with your oregano. Mix it well and taste. If it is too tart add a bit more sugar, if it is too sweet add a bit of lemon juice... taste and let your taste buds tell you.
Meanwhile boil your Whole Wheat Lasagna noodles in a big stock pot with a liberal dose of real salt.
While your noodles are boiling and your sauce is simmering make your cheese mixture.
Beat 2 eggs in a large bowl. Add your cheeses and mix well. Add your basil the same way you did to your sauce and then pepper.
Once you have all this ready it is time to assemble
Pour just a bit of the sauce on your casserole dish to give it a base to start with and your noodles won't stick.
Add a layer of noodles, now cheese, now sauce... over and over until you finish.
Bake at 350* for about 45 minutes and then sprinkle a hefty amount of mozzarella cheese on top and bake again for 10 minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes and serve with a nice green salad and some lovely crusty bread!
Enjoy!
CHEO Fun
Posted on 2008-Jun-30 at 11:40 by Kim Wolf<>< - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link
First of all...let me say THANK YOU to Balinda (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bcakstehomeschool), Carol, Kelly and Spunky (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spunkyhomeschool and friends) for coming to help me cover the booth for THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE at the CHEO (Christian Home Educators of Ohio) convention!! Couldn't have done it w/out you! What blessings you ladies are!!
Second...THANK YOU to my blog friends from both Homeschool and Homestead Blogger who stopped by!! Some of you didn't tell me your blog names...but you know who you are! lol I got to meet my friend "McBLOG" (http://www.homeschooblogger.com/mcblog) and she is JUST as sweet as I knew she would be! I even got to meet her dh of 10 years -- they spent their 10th at CHEO! Now THAT'S dedication! 
Third...THANK YOU to those of you who came to my workshops. I truly hope that you took something away from one of them that you can use. Everything I share in my workshops has worked for our family, so if it works for us, it can work for someone else.
Fourth...After years of blogging, e-mails and a few business related phone calls, I FINALLY got to meet the famous Jen Ig (Igarashi) (http://jeneralities.com)!! She was at CHEO representing Rosetta Stone, so we FINALLY got to meet. I also got to meet 3 of her kids - Coie: driver extraordinair!, Emmiko: the Maze Queen, and Bo: boy wonder. I had so much fun meeting all of you. We'll have to do it again sometime.
Now...if you go to Jen's blog you will see a picture of me in the midst of hysterical laughter. Fortunately for me, you can't quite tell that black, watery mascara is streaming down my face all the way to my chin! The reason is because, once again, my slight hearing problem got me into a situation that was funny and embassassing all at once. After a long day at CHEO on Friday night Balinda, Jen and her family, and Spunky and her friends and I went out to eat at Wendy's. BEFORE we even got there though, our little caravan lost Spunky at least 3 times! How that happened I'm still not quite sure 'cause we only had about 3 turns to make between the convention hall and the Wendy's that was by our hotel. Anywoo...once we all got there Balinda placed her order, then me, then Jen, then Spunky and crew. As Balinda had already ordered, she moved to the left so that I could place mine. Understand here that after a day in a noisy convention exhibition hall w/crowd noises and exhaust fans blowing my hearing was a little "worn," now the fans were blowing in the Wendy's kitchen behind the young man who was taking my order. NOT ONLY were those fans going...BUT the young man MUMBLED everything he said!! No joke...I'm going to see if I can come up w/SOME SORT of letter combination that will adequately give you an idea of just how this kids sounded TO ME...everything this kid said sounded like "fledda, fledda, flubba, fleedda, fledda?" You know, there's only 'so many' times a person will listen to you say, "excuse me? pardon me?" before they start getting irritated at you...but "FLEDDA, FLEDDA" is all I could understand this guy saying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Poor Balinda...she had NO IDEA why I was looking at her w/a combination of "HELP ME!" and trying not to laugh! So all I could do was answer what I thought he was saying to me...."Fledda, Fledda, Flubba, Fled?" "Yes, I'll have a #1 w/no onions, please." "Fledda, fledda, fled." "Um...OK...here's a $20."
So...the whole time I was standing in line waiting on my order, all I could do was TRY NOT to laugh, 'cause I KNEW that if I started there would be NO stopping! Once Balinda and I got seated I couldn't hold it in any longer! I laughed an embarrassingly long, loud time! There was no stopping it! While I was TRYING unsuccessfully to eek out some sort of explanation for why I was laughing Jen came over to sit down...so NOW I'm trying to explain to them, through uncontrolable giggles and snorts, what the kid at the checkout sounded like to me. THAT was not only when Balinda had to laugh herself right to the restroom (she was now laughing as hard as me!) but that was when Jen snapped her pic of me that's on her blog. It is God's great blessing to me, as I said earlier, that you can't see the mascara running down my face!
Well...a great time was had by all. You'll have to stop by the other blogs and get their impressions of the weekend.
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
Bath Note
Posted on 2008-Jun-30 at 04:39 by OurLittleHomestead - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link
Dear Kids,
Don't be alarmed, the world isn't coming to an end. I am simply
taking a bath. It will take about thirty minutes and will involve
soap and water. Yes, I know how to swim. Even if I didn't, forcing
myself to drown in a half-inch of lukewarm water is more work than
I've got energy for. (Which reminds me, I'm all for science projects,
but the next time you want to see if Play-Doh floats, use cold water.)
Don't panic if I'm not out right on time. I've heard that people
don't dissolve in water and I'd like to test the theory. While I'm in
the tub, I'd like you to remember a few things. The large slab of
wood between us is called a door. Do not bang to hear my voice. I
promise that even though you can't see me, I *am* on the other side.
I'm not digging an escape tunnel and running for the border,no matter
what I said a while ago. I didn't mean it. Honest. There will be
plenty of time later to tell me about your day.
"Later" means at a time when I am no longer naked, wet, and
contemplating bubble gum in the blow dryer. I know you have important
things to tell me. Please let one of them be that you have invented a
new way to blow bubbles, not a new way to add gum to your hair.
Believe it or not, shouting, "TELEPHONE!" through the closed bathroom
door will *not* make the phone stop ringing. Answer it and take a
message. Since Amazing Mind-Reading Mom has the day off, you'll need
to write that message down. Use paper and a pencil. Do not use your
brother and the laundry marker.
Water makes me wet, not deaf. I can still tell the difference between
the sound of "nothing" and the sound of a child playing the piano
with a basketball. I can also hear you tattling at the top of your
lungs. I'm *choosing* NOT to answer you.
Don't call your dad at work and tell him I am unconscious in the
bathroom. He didn't appreciate it last time. He won't appreciate it
more this time. Trust me.
No matter how much I would like it, water does not make me forgetful.
I remember who you are and why you are grounded. No, you can't go to
Shelby's house to play. No, you can't go to Shelby's house to use the
bathroom. If someone is in our other bathroom, you will just have to
think dry thoughts and wait. Unless you have four feet and a tail, do
not think of going outside to "water" the lawn. I know the dog does
it. The neighbors don't feel the need to call me when the dog does it.
Unless the house catches on fire, stay inside and keep the doors
locked. Do not go outside and throw rocks at the bathroom window to
get my attention. I know it works in the movies. This is reality, the
place where people don't like to sit in a tub while rocks and broken
glass rain in on them. Do not set the house on fire. Call me if there
is an emergency.
Emergencies ARE:
1. Dad has fallen off the roof.
2. Your brother and/or sister is bleeding.
3. There's a red fire truck in front of our house.
Emergencies are NOT:
1. Dad has fallen asleep.
2. Someone on TV is bleeding.
3. There's a red pickup truck in front of our house.
One other thing: Being forced to use the last roll of toilet paper
for a towel does not make me happy. It makes me sticky with little
white polka dots. In the future, when the tub overflows, use a mop to
clean up the water instead of every towel in the house. For my
sanity's sake, let's pretend it was the tub, Okay? No, I don't want
to hear the real story. Ever. Especially not while I'm standing in
the pool of water you missed.
By the way, all Play-Doh experiments are hereby canceled.
Be good. Entertain yourselves. Yes, you can do both at the same time.
Try coloring, playing a game, or paying that stack of bills on the
coffee table.
I'll be out soon. Maybe.
Love,
Your Mom
Memories That Make You Go...Ahhhhh...
Posted on 2008-Jun-25 at 12:05 by Kim Wolf<>< - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link
While replying to an e-mail I was reminded of some wonderful memories from my childhood of the simpler ways of life...and a simpler time in my own life...childhood. Here are some of my favorite memories. I would LOVE to know some of yours...
~~My mom is the baby of 14 children (and I’m the 52nd of 52 grandchildren!) and her 2nd-oldest sister was the only one who never left the foothills and “hollers” of VERY RURAL east/central KY. I LOVED going to their house!! It was like visiting Laura Ingalls Wilder. My uncle built their little house (with the steps that went right into the wall…you had to almost jump either right or left into the room you wanted to go into) and raised 11 kids there. She didn’t have electricity until I was in grade school in the mid-60’s, or in-door plumbing until the mid-80’s – about 6 years before she died – and she still cooked on a huge black coal/wood-burning stove! There was NOTHING like her biscuits! They were as big as her saucers and were meals in themselves. Especially w/honey from their own hives.
~~This same uncle taught me how to milk cows by hand. When we would visit I'd go out to the barn with him every morning. He would always have me be very quiet and we would almost 'sneak' in...then he would quietly give me one of the buckes while he took another. He would signal "1...2...3" with his fingers and on "3" we would start shaking the buckets and CATS would absolutely EXPLODE out of every crevice of the barn! lol He would then squirt the cats in the face while he milked...that's what they were waiting for!
~~My gr-parents' back porch went right out onto a foothill that was COVERED in raspberry briars. My gr-pa and I would go out and pick quart baskets FULL and then we would go out to the front porch. I'd sit on his lap while he pretended to be a baby bird - opening his mouth up as wide as he could - and I would be the mommy bird and feed him. Hmmm...I think Gr-pa got the better end of the deal!
~~Sitting on the floor in front of my "Bigmom's" rocker and listening to her tell wonderful, funny stories about her childhood.
~~Summers at another uncle's house riding horses FOREVER!
~~Picking strawberries in a local patch (2 for the basket, 1 for me!) and then going home to pour them into a HUGE tub and picking off the stems late into the summer evening on our back porch. Lighting lanterns to work by and watching the fire-flies, owls and bats come out while the crickets and tree frogs sang to us.
~~Can't forget those wonderful summer nights with the windows open and the crickets and tree frogs singing me to sleep.
What about you?
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
Commenting on Jacque's Blog...
Posted on 2008-Jun-25 at 08:23 by Kim Wolf<>< - 3 Comments - Post Comment - Link
One of my favorite bloggers is dear Jacque Dixon. Like many of us, Jacque has more than one blog (http://www.homeschoolblogge.com/Jacquedixonsoulrestes and http://dixonhomestead.com/Jacque/?p=215) and sometimes puts the same thing on each...and sometimes doesn't. If you go to the "dixonhomestead" link, PLEASE read her post "Who Do We Christians Think We Are?" It will really give you some food for thought...and something to pray about.
Well, you know me, I can't resist a good chance to leave a comment! So, below is the comment I left. I would be interested in your thoughts - either on Jacque's post or on the thoughts in my comment alone.
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
Well said...heartbreakingly said. If anyone doesn't recognize themselves in everything you said, they are lying to themselves.
I'm wondering at the age of your friend...it seems to me that a portion of the teens and 20-somethings who are professing Christians find themselves living with a love for the Lord - but - are standing ankle deep in the very dangerous pond of the world. They are trying to live some sort of moral limbo. JUST THIS YEAR 3 unmarried couples of our 20yodd's friends (2 from our own church!) have become pregnant. It is staggering. One couple just got married 2 weekends ago (she's almost 4 months along), one couple are trying to decide whether they love each other enough to get married or will adopt out the baby (she's 5 months along) and one couple has ALREADY moved in together and will marry after the baby gets here in August.
I have to be honest here and say that even though my heart goes out to these young people, it frightens me. One of these couples, in particular, profess to be Christians but see nothing wrong w/the way they are living...it's just sort of hiccup in their plans. My dd's are trying to be good witnesses to these couples, but my whole family is finding it hard to love and support them and NOT appear approving (although 2 couples are utterly repentant and have drawn closer to the Lord through this). There are times when I'm afraid that THEY might not see the difference.
My prayer is that our dd's are storing all of this in their hearts and seeing for themselves the hardship and the hard lessons learned - no matter how their friends might try to "romaniticize" it - and see and understand that the Lord's ways are just and true. That what 'the world' sees as God's ways being a lists of 'don't's', our dd's will see God's ways as a protective hedge that will give you blessing and freedom INSIDE the hedge. That stepping outside of God's hedge of protection ALWAYS leads to grief and hardship...no matter what the sin.
They have walking, talking, living, breathing examples of the consequences of the arrogance of sin...even in anyone, any of us, that they love. My prayer is that while they are watching others learn the hard way that they will not only store those lessons up in their hearts, but that they will be compassionate and forgiving.
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
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