We put up some white shades with white lace curtains in the dining room today.  I love them.  They look great.  I still have to figure out what to put on the dining room's picture window.

We put two white shades in the living room too.

I still have the quilt over the picture window in there.

I really like the lace ivory lace curtains on the door window.

I need to put curtains on the kitchen door window, the dining room picture window, and the two living room windows with only the shades.

Then I'm going to find some nicer curtains for upstairs and the bathroom.

This is actually fun.  I'm enjoying myself.

~Candy~

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 2-1/2 tsp. crushed chicken bouillon cube
• 1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp. cumin

Preparation:

We had prepared ourselves to move to Alaska.

Since we planned on flying, we gave away most of our stuff.

It's not upsetting.  It was actually rather freeing.

I hate stuff anyway.  Clutter....yuck!

Now that we have moved into my mother-in-love's old house, it's like starting all over. 

We are doing pretty well though.

I tend to think that we will end up with too much stuff.

People can be very generous when they hear someone needs something.

I am enjoying starting over.  It's like a fresh start.

I'm still not sure where we will be in the future, but I know that God is in control and that is enough.

I am actually still working on the curtain part.  I guess I am being very picky.

After I finally conquer the curtain detail, I want to wallpaper the kitchen.

I have a lot of ideas floating around.  It's exciting.

I like things simple.  I want our home to be inviting and peaceful.

Our children have refinished our big kitchen table.  They have done a wonderful job.  Thanks, guys!

Things are coming along nicely.

Until next time,

~Candy~

Not something any of us wants to have to do!  On New Years eve about 9:30 or so, I was working in the kitchen frosting some cinnamon rolls and finishing up some dishes, getting ready for the dinner at Mom's the next morning.  I happened to look out the west door and noticed the birdbath that stands at the end of the sidewalk was glowing.......what in the world is that??  I stepped out onto the deck and saw big smoke.  I hollared at hubby that the garage was on fire which is where it looked like it was coming from.  Actually it was our grainary and 10 big bales of hay next to it!  While waiting for the fire trucks to get here we got the hoses out and hooked up and started to spray it down a little.  Let me tell you my heart was racing!

Fire departments came from 3 towns and there were 9 trucks here!  Quite an exciting New Years Eve celebration we had here.  There is an open shed just a few feet from the burning hay bales that also contained hay, small bales.  They were able to keep it contained so that did not catch on fire, we are so thankful for that! 

Our garage is not far, and the siding is melted on it and the shingles have damage.  A small chicken house on another side had the siding melted as well.

So..........we have a tremendous amount of things to be thankful for in this ordeal!  If we had been gone, or in bed, or I had not looked out the door when I did.........it would have only been a few more minutes until I believe both of those buildings would have gone up and then the house is just on the other side of the garage, it would have been next along with 2 other chicken houses, and the shed containing the small hay bales too.  We could have so easily lost everything except 1 barn and 1 chicken house that are on opposite sides of the farmyard.

God's timing is always perfect!  We have no idea why he allowed this to happen, but his timing is perfect and we are giving thanks that more was not lost and no animals were hurt.

We did lose all of the feed for all of the animals, the 10 big bales of hay, feed barrels and buckets, some feed tubs, chicken feeders and waterers, the scales I weigh baby goats and feed with, catch nets, chicken leg catcher, dog chain, 3 pet carriers, fan, shop vac, some tools, cooler, electric roaster, some storage tubs..........I am sure a few other things.  I was worried about Snowball the cat that liked to sleep on a pillow in there, but the next morning he came to greet me!

Other than the shock of that night, the worst part has been keeping an eye on the hay burning.  It finally burned down enough by last night, that we could relax and go to bed without too much worry.   There was a danger of it flaring up enough to start something going again and we had to continually check on it and hose it down when we didn't feel comfortable.  The night time hours have proved to have me feeling unsettled and anxious...........it is all in God's hands, but I know human nature brings these feelings when something like this has happened.  If you would, please offer a little prayer for me to feel peace and safety, thank you!

The house a mile away that burned 3 days before was determined to be arson, however ours is listed as undetermined as far as I know now.  The hay and all the water made it difficult to tell exactly what had caused it.  It is hard not to think it may have been set as well.  Which is hard to think about too.  We have dogs and yard lights and we were home when it happened?? 

Back to being thankful!  Our friends and neighbors have been so generous and thoughtful to us. One has promised to  replace the hay we lost, another brought over a bale the next day, the man who's house burned brought up 2 bales!  Hubby went and had the folks open up the elevator so he could get a few bags of feed on New Years day.  Then today he went and picked up a mix of goat feed and to our total surprise they said it is paid for!  Wow!  A good friend from a nearby town had called and told them she would pay for the entire feed mix for our goats.  The same man who is replacing the hay is bringing his skid loader over to help clean up the mess after the insurance adjuster has been here.  Others have offered to help and come by to see if there is anything they could do.  Folks in rural America are still kind and caring people and we are blessed to live here!  Thank you to everyone who has helped in our time of need.

I had put off bloging since this happened, but am glad I finally sat down and put it on paper, or I guess on computer...........

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

  I was dreading this morning!  Donnie would be going back to work-after being off for three weeks!  Schooling lessons starting back up again.  The laundry and cleaning starting all over again.  Sigh...     

  But this morning wasn't so bad.  I think it was because Donnie prayed for us before he left for work.  Will and Anna slept until noon. (Will works nights, and the baby has been so sick.) So, Seth and I had the morning virtually all to ourselves. 

   I was able to get all my laundry done, the kitchen cleaned, the house straightened, the furniture dusted, the floors vacuumed, Seth's sheets changed, a sour cream coffeecake made, some chicken breasts boiled up for chicken salad and a chicken thawed out for supper tonight.  Not bad for a mornings work.

   There seems to be some stress in the air.  Will is getting sick and he is grumpy when he is sick, but this is our home and we will go on living our daily lives anyway.  

   I have the bathroom to clean and that is really it for today.  Anna said she would cook supper tonight.  Fried chicken...I am going to make a sweet potato casserole and boil up some seasoned butterbeans. 

   I cannot wait until my Donnie comes home.  I miss him.  His Mr. Steady-ness used to drive me crazy!  But, now I truly rely on his steadiness.  His soft firmness--his calmness.  I seem to feed off this trait of his and I try to imitate it as well.  Yep, I miss him.  Retirement is looking better and better all the time.

                God Bless!!!   

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...grey, dreary, COLD day.  But it IS a day that the Lord has made, so I will rejoice & be glad in it!

I am thinking...that this is a week of 'back to normal' and life will take on it's regular pace.

I am thankful for...the safe and blessed delivery of my friend's sweet baby boy on Saturday morning!  This is my dear friend whose husband was killed in a motorcyle accident back in July.  This baby is SUCH a miracle - it had TWO tight knots in it's umbilical cord and is perfectly normal!!  One of the nurses told her that certainly the Lord let her husband watch over that baby to make sure it got here.  Please keep her - and their (now) 4 children in your prayers.

From the learning room...Back to school today!  On the plate are:  Bible, American Gov't, Composition, Life Skills, Marine Biology and Nature Journaling/Art; gym will resume on Thursday.

From the kitchen...simple soup and sandwiches...or maybe salad for lunch; chicken breasts, snap beans w/almonds and garlic/rosemary roasted potatoes for supper.

I am wearing...jeans, burgandy shirt, blue 'house socks'.

I am creating...by tearing down.  We will be taking down our Christmas tree and other decorations today.  Boohoo! 

I am going...to the grocery and the bulk food store this afternoon.

I am reading...Bible; reading through DD#2's schoolbooks and doing some extended planning...that I DIDN'T get done while on Christmas Break!

I am hoping...that an important appointment for DD#1 goes VERY well for her tomorrow.

I am hearing...Glenn Beck on the radio and the girls walking around up-stairs.

Around the house...putting things back in order after the Christmas decorations come down, laundry, homeschool...

One of my favorite things...newborn baby fingers and toes.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  homeschool, gym, THURSDAY IS DD#1's 21st B-DAY!!!  Practicing the 4 songs that DH & I will be singing at my mom's church on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing...

In light of DD#1's 21st b-day...wasn't this just yesterday?!?!

Read and enjoy other Daybooks by clicking on:http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

I got dreams of starting a small farm (doing lots of reading), getting the garden in, making the corn crib into a mini green house, putting in hedgerow and split rail fence in front of the house and few other small projects.

I'm excited to see spring around the corner. I've got my 2009 garden planned and a list of seeds I need to order ready (got a gift certificate, will put it to use). Going to get the lights hooked up, can hardly wait to start the seeds in the basement.

Decided to also start eating right/healthy to lose the extra pounds, with my goal being June. Want to add exercising and walking in my daily schedule. Will keep a journal on my progress.