Posted in On the Homestead
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Good afternoon Family & Friends! I have been doing a lot of reading over at An Intentional Peasant's blog. She has been letting others know of ways to store food for future emergencies. Stockpiling your pantry is the name of the game. I myself have been wondering how to store food that can be used without using electricity.
Being in a hurricane prone area,(and knowing that its been a long time coming for another major storm) I wanted to come up with a menu for at least 30 days that would allow me to feed my family. Now, I have been able (most of the time During one of the last major hurricanes we had (which was about 10 years ago) we were without electricity for over a week. It was NO fun at all. I prepared poorly and needless to say, we ate junk food for over a week! So here I am now wanting to get started on this menu and what it will take to prepare at least one hot meal for my family if we get a hurricane this year. If any of you have any ideas, PLEASE let me know. Maybe you could come up with your own menu using no electricity for 30 days. I'll post what I come up with once I get a plan set on paper. This is also going to help me, because I will need to start shopping for these supplies before the first threat of a hurricane comes to out area. Have a blessed day in The Lord! Amanda <><
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) to do once a month shopping and get all of my needs. So, I have been able to keep at least a months supply of food on hand. It all requires using electricity to cook with as well as refridgeration/freezing. That's a good thing, but again I am looking to be able to prepare food for my family for at least 30 days electric free.
I really pray that this will never happen though. I just want to be prepared.
I never want to do that again. I couldn't wait to get some electricity just so we could have a HOT nutritious meal again. 
Posted in On the Homestead
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I needed to get some clothes for Dd (14) who will be going to visit her Grandma for a month or so next week. She has never been away from us for that amount of time and I am trying to act "grown up" about her decision. We also had a Homeschool Support meeting to attend today. I almost didn't make it in time. I left 2 bags of food at Wally World and had to drive 20 miles back to the store to get it. When I got there, they only had one bag. The cashier must have given the other bag ($12.00's worth) to another customer. Anyway, I got off subject, back to the meeting. Only one other family showed up besides mine. With the exception of one family (thanks for letting me know.), I have no idea what happened to everyone else. We were suppose to plan our end of the year program. I am not sure what everyone wants to do. Prayerfully, I will be able to get a hold of everyone so we can make some plans. I was blessed being able to talk with the one family that did come today. They are a couple who Homeschool their 5th grade son. They have been such an inspiration to me for these past 3 years. They have such an obvious love for The Lord. It shows in all that they say and do to others around them. Thank you Mr. E.K. and Mrs. Linda for being such a blessing in my family's life! Having fellowship with like minded Christians who experience the same trials as you do is a blessing (not the trials, the fellowship) The Lord has blessed me with so many families to fellowship with. We get to share one another's burdens and pray for each other. It truly is a blessing that cannot be measured. Well, as the picture I posted looks, so I feel right now. Its time to get ready for bed. Thank you Father for the day. Thank you for teaching me more about patience. Thank you Father for directing my paths and keeping them safe today. Thank you Father for Friends and Family! To God Be The Glory, great things He has done and is still doing! Amanda <><
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I know that she will have a great time visiting all of her cousins that she never gets to see and spending time with her Dad's Mom. I will just have to trust The Lord that He will keep her safe while away from me.
)You can be sure that the next time, I will be a whole lot more mindful of where my groceries are at BEFORE I leave the store.
Posted in On the Homestead
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http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2008/me_iran0128_05_13.asp- Another reason to make the price of wheat go higher? What say you? Blessings on all who pass this way! Amanda <><
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Posted in On the Homestead
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I am finished with the strawberry jam for this year. I ended up with 71 pint jars of jam. They all set up really well with the exception of about 5 jars. I will use those for ice cream toppings or for the topping on a home made yellow cake. (that sounds yummy!) I had wanted to do 150 jars. That's not going to happen. I have more than enough to use until the next year. The best part was that I only had to pay for 17 pounds of strawberries. The other 50-70 pounds were FREE. It was a lot of work picking through the ones hubby bought home, but FREE is a good thing when I figure that I would have had to pay $95 for 70 lbs. of berries. Now, I may end up making some more later on this week if hubby gets some more. I just need a break for this week with the canning. DD is getting really excited about graduation. She will be graduating on May 24th at the State Homeschool Convention. She has her cap and gown and the "graduation" dress all ready to wear. We will be going up to the convention on May 22nd-the 25th. We are all looking forward to ending the school year with a graduation. There have been so many times that I doubted what I was doing when it came to Homeshooling my children. I know that The Lord led me this way. It just gets hard when there are not many others around you who can even partly understand the "whys" of Homeschooling. I just keep looking to my Savior and He keeps me focused. (We walk by FAITH, NOT by sight!) Well, I need to go and get the kiddies up and at em' We have a full fay of school planned as well as the usual household duties. To God be the glory for allowing me to do His work through His strength. NEVER mine! Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< |
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Happy Mothers Day to all of my Family & Friends! He made her to be a happy Keeper of the Home. Isn't that an honor knowing that it came straight from the Creator Himself. When the world tells you that you "need" to be out of the home to "be a somebody" remember that it is what God says that matters most! Just think of all of the souls He entrusts to us Mothers. He knew what He was doing when He chose for you to be a Mom. There is NO higher caller that to be a Helpmeet to your husband and a Mother to his children. Follow Christ, not the world! Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <><
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Posted in On the Homestead
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/09/BUB210J734.DTL- It is an interesting article. Sounds like a good way to save if you can find any salvage discount store in your area.
Blessings, Amanda <>< |
Posted in On the Homestead
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Here is an article on a Mennonite Man who was arrested for selling raw milk. The feds should have NO say so in the foods we eat and what we drink. What say you? http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=63225 Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< |
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http://www.dnronline.com/articles_writers.php?uid=56&fp=flavor_details&aid=14810&chid= I found this interesting column put out every week by an Amish Mother/Wife. I think they reside in Michigan. Very informative. http://www.oasisnewsfeatures.com/ is another interesting site on the Amish.
Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< |
Posted in On the Homestead
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Good Morning Family & Friends! Yesterday I made up the first flower baskets of the year. I went to Wal Mart and was just going to purchase 2 hanging begonia baskets. They were $10.00 each! I put a 6 pack into each basket and some soil (I had to purchase that also). Presto- Beautiful Hanging Baskets for a fraction of the cost. I also purchased some Lantana. It does so beautifully in our HOT& HUMID summer weather. I planted that between the rose bushes. I am going to get some more and plant it around the mailbox this weekend. So, from what I have figured out, I will need at least 12 more 6 packs of Begonias to plant in pots for the fence line and the porch.(I feel like a kid in a candy store when I go and look at flowers!) I just LOVE being outside planting flowers or working in the garden. It is such a blessing to be able to work with God's creation. I wonder if that is how Adam and Eve felt while they tended The Lord's garden? Have a blessed day to all who pass this way! Amanda <><
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Posted in On the Homestead
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Good Afternoon Family and Friends! It is another beautiful day in here NC. It is clear and cool with a light wind blowing. Absolutely gorgeous! We just got back from the neighbors farm. DD (14) decided to do the egg collecting after all. She had some extremly broody hens to deal with today. Those girls didn't want to let those eggs out of their site. While Dd was collecting the eggs, DS (8) ws playing hide and seek in the wheat, which is where the hens hang out. He kept calling my name and I had to figure out where he was hiding. Now that is definately a good place to hide. This got me to thinking about places to play hide and seek at, that kids (and you adults) can play on a farm. Be it 1 acre or a 100 acres. Here it goes: Any Field (watch out for the snakes!) The chicken coup (if you have quiet hens that won't tell on you & don't forget to watch where you step.) In the pig pen! (Who would even want to look there? Up a tree (make sure they aren't fruit trees. Mama will switch you if you tear up her fruit trees!) A Pond (Remember to use the reeds to breathe! A Barn ( Too practical! You would be the first to be found. Everyone hides there!) Can you think of any other places to play? Bless all who pass this way and remember to play with your kids (or grandkids). They won't be little forever.( As I am quickly learning. Amanda <><
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That thing actually growled at her. It also tore a hole in the rubber glove she wore while pecking her. Can you say OUCH!?!
Posted in On the Homestead
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Good Afternoon Family & Friends! It is a BEAUTIFUL day! We had storms come through yesterday and they blew out all of the heat and humidity. Today it is clear and much cooler! I had an early start today. My hubby's friend (the one who lives near a PYO farm) had LOTS of strawberries for us today. I picked them up at 6:45 this morning. The best part is that they were FREE!!!!!! We have just started the strawberry season around here and the girls don't want to look at another one again. Oh well, it is a good thing to know how to use what The Lord gives us. Waste not, want not! Need to go and get started again! Have a blessed day in The Lord! Amanda <>< |
Posted in Weekly Budget
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This is an interesting article. I can't stand the thought of it actually happening. Although I can see it in the near future. There are just TOO many greedy people in this world!
http://www.nysun.com/news/business/gas-price-may-soon-cost-sawbuck Have a blessed day and pray for our country! Amanda <>< |
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Good Sunday afternoon Family & Friends! I have been ever so busy since I last blogged. I am sitting here using this blog to gather my thoughts and activities for the week. I feel like I have a million different things to do and am not sure where I need to start. Well, I was able to get 11 pint jars of strawberry jam made. That came from about 15 pounds of strawberries. It didn't go as far as I thought it would. I had a hard time getting that much made though. I had the baby all day Friday and Saturday. It's VERY hard trying to make jam with a 14 month around. On Saturday (yesterday) I was able to go and have some fellowship with a dear friend of mine. We went to a State park that is also an old Battlefield from the Revolutionary War. They had Jr. Park Ranger Day. The kids got to make old colonial toys and they also participated in mock gun drills that were done in the 1700's. They had a blast! Now, I had planned on getting more strawberries yesterday to make more jam with on Monday. I just happened to forget my cash and couldn't get any. So I will try and get more tomorrow morning really early or tomorrow afternoon (whenthe baby leaves.). I need to go ahead and get as much made as possiable. It has been in the lower 80's here and that ripens those strawberies too fast. If this warm weather keeps up, all of the strawberies will soon be gone. Well, I need to get off here and get ready to go to church. We are having fellowship tonight after the service. DD (17) is making her famous Cream Cheese Cookies. She usually makes them only during the Christmas season. She decided to take something different tonight. (I am glad she chose the cream cheese cookies.) Bless all who pass this way and have a wonderful day in THE LORD!
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Anyone else ever feel this way?Posted in On the Homestead
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Good Morning Friends & Family! It is another beautiful day here on the homestead. The children and I have a busy day planned. It will start with going to the local PYO strawberry farm and picking A LOT of strawberries. Our strawberries here on the homestead are starting to get bigger and turn a beautiful shade of pink. I'd say that they should be ready in a few weeks. They really are doing better than I anticipated. I was just so worried that the chickens would scratch them out or eat them. So far, they have stayed away from them. I did my calculations yesterday for the amount of jars that I will need to can my veggies and fruits. It turns out that I will need about 800 jars to can the amounts I want to can. I only have 130 jars now. Those jars will be used for the strawbery jam. The beans will be the next item ready to harvest. I will need about 150 jars for those. Here are the amounts that I plan on canning: (Let me rephrase that sentence, I pray that I can put these amounts away for furure consumption. Strawberry Jam- 150 pint jars I also want to try and can some pie fillings and make some blueberry jelly/jam. I'm still researching that. There will also be peaches and apples to store or can. I am so excited about this. Now, As you can see, this is ALOT of stuff to can. I have never done these amounts before. I will do my best (Lord willing) to accomplish this goal I have set. I am just thankful that all of these things don't come in all at the same time. If so, well, I wouldn't want to even think of it. Well, I need to get ready to go to the store. It is also my "stock up" day. We also plan on having lunch with hubby today. Thank you Lord for being so good to me! Thank you Lord for saving my soul! Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< |
2 years ago.Posted in On the Homestead
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I have been so blessed this evening! I was just sitting outside and I heard the MOST wonderful sound! It was the sound of not one but two whipporills I absolutely look forward to hearing those night birds every year. It has just not been so until this evening.(Thank you Lord for an answered prayer.) Yes, I prayed to hear that bird this year. I just pray that the bird likes his home for the spring/summer and stays put! To God be the glory for all that he does. I LOVE you SWEETJesus! Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< II Corinthians 5:7 |
Posted in Weekly Budget
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I found this site that keeps track of the ever rising wheat prices. It updates ever so often, so it would be a good idea to go back to often. Very informative. http://www.gmiflour.com/gmflour/markettracker.asp#chart Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< II Corinthians 5:7 |
Posted in Recipe Collection
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We use fresh raw peanuts in this recipe. The longer you let the peanuts sit in the salty water, the better. PS- Hubby makes the best boiled peanuts around. This is really his recipe! Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <><
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Posted in On the Homestead
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Good Morning Friends & Family! I pray that you are all doing well this beautiful day that The Lord has made. We had a really good time of fellowship last night with our church family. We went ice skating and the kids had a blast. It felt really odd packing jackets & mittens out to the car when the temps. were around 75 degrees. We have another busy day today. We are going to an air show. They will have the Thunderbirds performing as well as several other performers. I LOVE air shows! As a child we went to just about every one there was when they came around to the base. We were a military family as I was growing up. These shows really bring back a lot of memories. Now, I have the baby this morning. I will probably miss the main attraction on the account that I will have to take the baby to his Mama. I was going to take him home after the show, but I am afraid that the noise level will be too much for him. So I'll leave the kids with my sister and then take him to his Mama's work. Sounds like a plan right now. Hubby said that he would start planting the garden when he got home in the late afternoon. So those seeds will get in the ground today. I pray so anyway! Well, I need to go and get the kids ready to leave. I pray that you all have a blessed day in The Lord! Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< II Corinthians 5:7 |
Posted in On the Homestead
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Here is an intersting article on teenagers becoming more frugal with their money. I think that they must be learning some inportant concepts from some frugal parents! Way to go Parents! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24187291/ Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< II Corinthians 5:7
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Posted in On the Homestead
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Good Morning Family & Friends! We got the garden tilled last night!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!! A dear neighbor friend of ours came over and tilled it for us with his tractor. It took him less than 10 minutes to do it. It was such a beautiful site to behold when he finished it. Now we will get the seeds into the ground tomorrow. We have the following that we will plant this year: Silver queen corn, tomatoes, potatoes (need to get those in the ground fast!) green beans,peanuts,cucumbers and plenty of BRIGHT flowers! The strawberries are looking really good as well as the blueberry bushes. We will actually have a few blueberries this year. Not many, but enough for some muffins or such! DD (14) passed her drivers ed. test yesterday. Once she turns 15 (in July) we will take her down to get her permit. She was so excited! I am so proud of her! She does need to work on her turns a bit more though. I let her drive to our home on the dirt road. When she turned into the yard she didn't turn the wheel enough to the left and just about took out the fence. DD (14) decided not to take the job at the neighbors farm. Like I mentioned before, she doesn't take to farm animals so well. DD (17) will be doing it instead. That kind of work is more to her liking. Either way, I am proud of both of my daughters and the beautiful young ladies that they are becoming every day! Thank you Lord for my salvation, precious children, my loving husband and all of my family and friends! You, Lord, are always so good to me! To God be the glory! Bless all who pass this way! Amanda <>< II Corinthians 5:7
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