Where the Wild Things Are

Joy of Baking

{ 8:18 PM, Sunday, January 24, 2010 } { Posted in About Food } { 1 comments } { Link }

Cman really wanted to have banana cream pie for his sister's birthday. We talked alot about it and checked out pudding mixes at the store, already whipped topping, etc. Yuk! That stuff is NOT what you want to serve at home. Somehow, we can, can't we, forget about the ingredients when we eat out, but not at Home.

So, we bought bananas, heavy cream, milk, eggs, sugar, real Madagascar vanilla and with natural shortning we had at home and ww pastry flour picked up from coop, we proceeded to make our pie.

Yum! However, we are still waiting, for a variety of reasons, to eat the pie, and it is after 8 pm. Best to start this one early am. and have help or extra time. So good though. Found the recipe at www.joyofbaking.com I also used the crust recipe from http://www.hodgsonmill.com/classic-pie-pastry/ They have some neat other recipes too - wholesome, natural etc.

We all helped with the making, but it is still at the pudding stage. Em had hers already as she is tired, w/o crust and just as pudding.

You know, this is REAL food! There is not that much sugar, comparatively speaking, and if you are not intolerant of eggs and milk and cream, this is actually old fashioned Good Stuff !

The website has a plethora of good things to bake. Cman has already drafted a Brownie Cookbook, so he will be very interested in some of these others.

Gotta go -- take care and seek peace,
Michele

Psalm 24

{ 9:10 AM, Wednesday, January 13, 2010 } { Posted in Ponderings } { 2 comments } { Link }

SuperHorseSteader had this posted at her blog last night -

What Are You Doing With Your Raw Materials - by Doug Apple

{ 10:03 PM, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 } { Posted in Ponderings } { 0 comments } { Link }

Apples of Gold

Radio Script for January 12, 2010

“What Are You Doing With Your Raw Materials?”

Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.

So we had a bright young man in the studio yesterday.

He had written some inspirational scripts and he came in to record them.

He was excited. “Yeah, it’s like God just gave me the ideas and I sat down and wrote them as fast as I could. The words were just flowing.”

So we set him up, turned on the mic, and he started reading. And he started stumbling over some of the words and phrases. And he started mumbling under his breath. And several times he just stopped and said, “This doesn’t make any sense.”

Were his ideas not so good after all?

No, that wasn’t it. The ideas were good.

Was he not a good writer?

Oh I’m sure he can write just fine.

So what was the problem?

The problem was that it was only a rough draft. He mistook the raw material for a finished product.

Oh, he started well enough. He felt inspired by God and got the ideas down on paper. He did the right thing by writing and writing, furiously pulling the information from thin air and putting it into words. When you are inspired like that, you’ve got to get the information down before you forget.

But then you have to step back and look at it. What do you have?

Raw material. The real work begins now – now that you have the raw material.

For the young man in the studio, getting the ideas was easy. He said they just came to him. So he did the easy part. He received the ideas and got them down on paper.

But then comes the hard part, which is turning the raw material into something beautiful.

So what he should have done was step back, take a look and say, “What do I have here? What can I do with it? How can I best present this information to the world? What can I say to make them sit up and pay attention? How can I say it so they will actually ‘get it’ and apply it to their life?”

Then he should have rewritten his scripts. He should have taken that raw material, that lump of clay, and formed it into something both useful and beautiful.

And now here’s the point. I think God has given us all raw material to work with. We all have gifts and skills and resources, but they are not a finished product. They are simply raw material.

So the question is – what are you doing with your raw material?

Now think about Jesus’ parable of the talents, in Matthew 25. It says the kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a journey who left his goods in the care of his servants.

It says he gave one servant five talents of money, another servant two talents, and another one talent.

That was their raw material. They were not all given the same raw material, but they were all expected to do something with it.

The first two went at once and put their money to work. They took their raw material and doubled its value.

And when the master returned he told each of them, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

But the third servant did nothing to increase the value of his raw material.

And what did the master call him? Wicked and lazy.

Well I sure don’t want to be wicked and lazy! I want to take the raw materials God gives me and turn them into something. I want to take the muddy lumps of clay and turn them into objects both useful and beautiful.

When God gives me 2, I want to turn it into 4.

So think about it. What do you have? What raw materials has God given you?

Well don’t bury them. Don’t sit on them and do nothing.

One day He’s going to ask about them, and what do we want to hear: “wicked and lazy” or “good and faithful”?

Well I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

And that means I need to identify my raw materials, then do the work to increase their value.

So I’ll leave you with this question, one more time.

What are you doing with your raw materials?

Comments?

E-mail me: dougapple@wave94.com.

May God bless you today! With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.

© 2010 The Arrow’s Tip
To subscribe to your own daily “Apples of Gold” e-mail, write dougapple@wave94.com.
If you want to be removed from this e-mail list, simply click reply and type UNSUBSCRIBE on the subject line.
If you want to catch “Apples of Gold” in its original audio format, go to www.wave94.com
To search through the large archive of past articles, go here: http://www.wave94.com/modules.php?name=Stories_Archive
If you have trouble reaching me at my main e-mail address, try this one: douglas_apple@msn.com

(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)

Why “The Arrow’s Tip”? Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold. Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.” I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.

Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 926-8000
-vi-

with permission

Not Really Like the Great Depression and a little talk

{ 7:04 AM, Tuesday, January 5, 2010 } { Posted in Inside .. the House } { 1 comments } { Link }

I happened upon this post just now and it is really true. I have not read the rest of her site but it sounds interesting.

Take a look - Down-To-Earth http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2010/01/from-archives-frugal-home-march-2009.html

Though we didn't do much for the holidays this year, just dinner only and early due to travel plans for grandparents, we have been busy. We could not afford gifts and were glad we had scaled that practice back in previous years. We studied some things about Hanukkah. Read through some of the Maccabees. Read the story of Messiah's birth. Looked at lights in passing. Talked about holiday traditions. What is nice and what is not.

DH has been working up north trying to set up a new homestead for us. He is there now with the 2 older children, who will hopefully learn some new skills and gain some experience.   I have just been trying to organize things (and thoughts) and get ready.

DH has also been setting up a new business since real estate is no longer the occupation of choice for him.   He will be going back to a previous occupation in which he has some experience.

I am learning alot and trying to figure out how to "pass it on".   Blogging is helpful there, but many people don't blog. Lately, I don't much either : \       My dd and I have wanted to host a Country Living for Kids workshop for the past few years, but it hasn't really worked out. Different issues arise.   Perhaps I will post her ideas sometime.

We had a round of illness last month which was somewhat time consuming. Dad and I avoided it, thankfully. I did post a bit about that. Want to mention that when my nonverbal son complained about his ear, I rubbed GOOT all around and over the outer ear and it helped. (He won't let me put drops inside.) And also the feet.

Well, I have so much to say, but that is gonna have to do for now.

Peace be unto you and your house,

Michele

Fun Fashions and Things to Sew (and just a little update)

{ 7:14 AM, Tuesday, November 10, 2009 } { Posted in Inside .. the House } { 2 comments } { Link }

I can't wait to get sewing more. I have done just a few little projects and most by hand lately, not with machine. I have just been over to ww.clotilde.com looking at their clearance projects and supplies. What fun stuff ! It would be so fun to make and share this kind of stuff, perhaps with a word from Our Father .... about how He loves us.   I have taken the girls into the fabric shops for a few minutes in the last couple of weeks and oohed and awed over materials. It is fun but overwhelming. We will try to visit another smallish quilt shop nearby soon.

We are all beginning to get in a flurry because of the move on the horizon. It may be as soon as next month. I have so much to do.   It is a long distance move so it is different than our past several moves.

Our beautiful conure died yesterday. We are all sad. We don't know why he was sick or what to do for him. :(

We are in a bit of a dilemma with what to do with some of our other animals as well as our new property is not fenced (yet).   What a lot of work there is to do...

Back home, I have family members who are having serious health issues and one gramma we may lose soon; she is 93. I just can't go home right now (no $) so I am in constant prayer throughout the day. I also have family members here who have health issues and stress is a big factor so I am praying for peace and healing.

I miss visiting my friends here at hsb but don't have time this morning. Running to town to help my older son. I love getting a chance to see him though :)

Peace,
Michele

Foxfire -- A Living History Project

{ 12:02 AM, Thursday, October 29, 2009 } { Posted in Off Beat } { 4 comments } { Link }

You may want to check out this book - it is a review - so you don't get all the pages but I really enjoyed it.

http://books.google.com/books?id=PohdYKIXMrYC&pg=PA291&dq=The+Vinegar+Anniversary+Book&ei=7THdSoilMoWSkASIg_2NCA&client=firefox-a#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Interview excerpts from the old timers back in the South ..

Stampeding Dolphins - This is Really Neat to Watch

{ 10:23 PM, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 } { Posted in Off Beat } { 0 comments } { Link }

Animal News

{ 10:09 PM, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 } { Posted in Animal News } { 0 comments } { Link }

I haven't posted here for along while. We have been having different animal troubles for quite awhile and I have wanted to write something but don't have time.

We have had horse colic and weight loss, and horse boarders.

Chicken troubles - dog troubles and too many kitties

I will hope to post this soon, but I am under orders - again.

Home Remedies for Toothache

{ 9:19 AM, Wednesday, October 14, 2009 } { Posted in Health Care ... Naturally } { 1 comments } { Link }

I am not a dr or dds. I have a broken molar and cannot afford to fix it. My whole side of my jaw was swollen at one point, but it didn't hurt. Now, less swelling, more hurting. Here is what I have been doing that helps.

Poultice from fresh fig between gum and cheek
Charcoal
Wash mouth with warm water, salt, vinegar, cayenne pepper and fresh crushed garlic (strain out if you are not in a hurry). This wash removes my pain right away entirely unless I upset the tooth with eating, drinking or otherwise.

Tablets of combined goldenseal and echinicea from Trader Joe's. 4-8 per day
Other regular supplements (vitamin C really helps, I think)

Hope this helps you,
Michele

Sewing - Split Skirts - and Civil War Era Dress

{ 7:50 AM, Monday, October 5, 2009 } { Posted in Handiwork } { 2 comments } { Link }

I have been anxious to get sewing but the timing still doesn't seem to mine. I did start the little one on sewing cards yesterday. She really enjoyed that and is already ready to move up a step. She is five and has really good small motor and hand eye coordination. I seem to have misplaced my embroidery thread and so wanted to start on teaching those stitches yesterday.

We went on Friday and borrowed a dress for the civil war era dance. I will sew a bit of lace on the neckline and add some temporary stitches to make the neckline more modest for my 13yo. We got a hoop with it, which is fun. She has been really enjoying full skirts for awhile now, though they do not seem to be the rage with modern grandmas or other teens we know. We also received a lovely blue full skirted jumper from Modest Handmaiden.

I also bought a pattern for a split skirt to make the girls (and myself if I can modify the pattern). I bought one of these full gathered skirts in denim and it has been well appreciated : ) I am thinking pink and flowers for the little one.

Charcoal really works .. .. please try it

{ 7:38 AM, Monday, October 5, 2009 } { Posted in Health Care ... Naturally } { 2 comments } { Link }

An interesting quote is contained in this newsletter. Includes some info you haven't heard on the H1N1 - It is short - you can take it. Charcoal has been working on my tooth infection. Right now, I am relearning how to spend less, as I have become spoiled over the past 10 years so I have had to use homemade charcoal. How amazing our Father is to have made such an inclusive remedie from something almost everyone has access to.

http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/ct1009_news

Shalom - it is the weeklong celebration of the Feast of Booths - Sukkot. www.biblicalholidays.com We are just learning all the wonders of our Father's own celebrations. What wonder I have!

Michele

Halleluyah Acres

{ 6:17 PM, Tuesday, September 22, 2009 } { Posted in About Food } { 4 comments } { Link }

http://www.hacres.com/healthtipArticles2009/618.asp#feature
Halleluyah Acres. .. article on food safety. Read the links at the bottom of the article, esp. food czar and the links on that page at the Huffington Post.

I am becoming actually afraid for the health of my children if I do not stop partaking of their "non-food". We need self control. To bypass the cheaper costs for processed poisons. We need help. It's everywhere.

Preserving Our Heritage

{ 6:14 PM, Sunday, September 13, 2009 } { Posted in Ponderings } { 1 comments } { Link }

I liked what was portrayed here. It is a special model to follow to help preserve our families.

http://www.homesteadblogger.com/FurbelowCottage/143973

Take good care all and keep your eyes on Jesus,

Michele

Crab Apples for Harvest

{ 4:38 PM, Sunday, September 13, 2009 } { Posted in About Food } { 3 comments } { Link }

We picked all of the crabapples a couple of days ago. I learned ... you have to cook these right away; even by the next day, they start to go bad.

I boiled them shortly with more water in one batch than the other. The I drained the liquid which I plan to make into syrup and milled the pulp by hand through an old wire strainer. Okay I admit I am not finished yet. I take my time about most things anymore. : )    PTS really slows you down.

Well, guess I will wander over and see what some of my friends are cooking up from the yard.

Take good care,

Michele

In response to a request for more information on preparing crabapples:    I don't know.

Our crabapplies are red. The tree does not look like my grandparents' in Montana. The fruit are tart and have to be sweetened somehow unless you are one to drink 100% cranberry or cherry juice.

Last year I cooked the puree with sugar and made a 'crisp' with it. I don't know how I made it. I grew up around cooking. Mostly I use recipes for guides - drives people crazy. I am NO gourmet.   Just like to fiddle with food.

So, add sugar to taste to your cooked and milled puree, then add it to regular applesauce, or cook it down awhile and then put it between two layers of sweet crust and/or crumbs for dessert. I decided to mix some of mine with some strawberry juice and/or puree.

Cook it with sugar to a syrup and pour it hot and carefully into clean glass jars. I thought to mix it with the elderberry juice ....

The juice is pretty bright and probably stains ...   which means good phytonutrients : )

Well, I hope this helps. For REAL recipes, you will have to visit one of those REAL recipe books or websites.

Did I mention that the goats loved them?   I gave them the ones that had turned south ...

Have a healthy harvest all,
Michele

PS : 11/09 Countryside Mag had a good article on crababbles in one of the last two issues.

Taking a Break

{ 4:28 PM, Sunday, September 13, 2009 } { Posted in Ponderings } { 2 comments } { Link }

I have been researching the Sabbath and some other biblical traditions. This has been very enlightening and thought provoking. I read an interesting article at Sara's Tent on Hebrew women through the ages and in the early church.

I still find it difficult to impossible to prepare for and observe a true Sabbath day. I just can't stop working. The others in the family have activities... sports...

I am determined to follow this out though as I am convinced now that YHVH's people are set apart by their observance of Shabbat.

As I tell the children, at least I know now why all the stores were closed on Saturday and Sunday when I was a small child.

By HIs Grace,
Michele

History of a Flour Mill

{ 9:51 PM, Monday, September 7, 2009 } { Posted in About Food } { 1 comments } { Link }

http://www.hudsoncream.com/history.taf

I found this website while searching for another source for bulk baking flour etc. I really enjoyed reading the history - just a bit of Americana I guess.

Take care, oh I suppose Mrs. Wood may even use this flour ...... : )

TTFN - In His Care

Michele

Future Christian Homemakers

{ 10:32 PM, Wednesday, July 22, 2009 } { Posted in Inside .. the House } { 4 comments } { Link }

http://www.futurechristianhomemakers.com/LauriesLetterArchives.html

This is the same site with the gingham embroidery - I just sent a link to my daughter for the free online lessons book in homemaking skills. I think that she will like them, if she has time.

We run out of time alot. Partly because if we have, or choose, to go anywhere, we live so far from most things, it takes awhile just to get there and back. Partly because of chores. Partly because of autism. Partly because of clutter. And more new kittens. And a flea problem. And a colic problem. And a sand problem. And a pantry moth problem. And a water problem. And .......................

Ha ha, it is what it is. May I get better with time......

LOL,
Michele

Kittens and Trying to Lower Expenses

{ 10:31 AM, Saturday, July 18, 2009 } { Posted in Inside .. the House } { 0 comments } { Link }

(update)We have been having quite a busy time with our second litter of kittens in the last three months. This batch was born about 10 days ago and four of the seven kittens have died, despite our earnest, but inexperienced ministrations.

We bought shoes today. Finally broke down and bought three pairs at WalMart. I do like to avoid that store. Em did not cry when we did not go to the toys - yea!

Kevin got hay at half price delivered - that was great. We still have had high farm supply bills. Can't seem to get the electric down below $350. Even when I try to turn everything off during the day, ie. computers, tv, lights, and the microwave and coffee pot unplugged, it doesn't seem to be enough. Also I tried not using the dishwasher for several days, but have been using it again lately. Gotta really keep after it until I get this bill down.

That's all for now folks,

Michele

Toby Basketball

{ 1:36 PM, Friday, July 10, 2009 } { Posted in Kid Stuff } { 2 comments } { Link }

Toby made his own game, as he often does. He put the ball into an empty Sand Clear bucket. Then he threw both the bucket and ball to the ground until they came apart. Then he did it again.

Toby basketball, lol.

Hope you get this...

Learning to live,
Michele

Charcoal Remedies

{ 7:31 AM, Monday, June 29, 2009 } { Posted in Inside .. the House } { 1 comments } { Link }

I just want to make a note about charcoal remedies. I gave the book to K a couple of years ago for her birthday. She really liked it. She has had lots of occasions to give her advice "try charcoal for that". We have had some good help for a variety of health issues. We used some we made ourselves for our horse's hooves. We used it externally for soaking and for rash. We use it internally for diarrea and other stomach poison complaints.

I put the extra homemade stuff we had made around (not heavily) many of my outdoor plants. Anyway, here is one website, you can find more.

http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/bulk

Health food shops carry it. I haven't checked the farm supply.

Safe from .....

{ 3:48 PM, Saturday, June 27, 2009 } { Posted in Off Beat } { 0 comments } { Link }

In case you are considering things such as hurricanes, tornados, rainfall, floods, temperature extremes and the like in your search for the 'perfect' place to set up your dream homestead, don't forget volcanoes ....

This one could affect you whereever you are .... volcano !!

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1869313,00.html

So you may as well just get busy and get to work on the best homestead you can find, as soon as you can. Hey, why not start right where you are ?

Blessings,
Michele

Alone in the Wilderness

{ 10:22 AM, Saturday, June 27, 2009 } { Posted in Ponderings } { 1 comments } { Link }

This morning I saw a segment of a video done by PBS where a man chronicled 35 years of living alone in the Alaska (I think) or northern Canada maybe, wilderness. He built his cabin and did most things by hand. He lived there alone, it said, for about 35 years ! Until he was too old, in his eighties.

I couldn't help but wonder why? Why would someone live that life of self sufficiency and do it alone? So, I hope to get the book or video to find out.

A Little Grace and Charm

{ 11:06 PM, Wednesday, June 17, 2009 } { Posted in Inside .. the House } { 2 comments } { Link }

For fun:

http://alittlegraceandcharm.com/

A Victorian era themed place to visit.

Our Judeo Christian Nation and Good Old Music

{ 8:04 AM, Wednesday, June 17, 2009 } { Posted in Off Beat } { 2 comments } { Link }

I watched this video and always find it inspiring to hear any of our modern leaders speak of Our Father in the proper light.

I am listening to some beautiful music over at the chapel page of WOG - I listened to so many of these old songs when I was young. If I lived near my Grandfather, I would still hear them today. One of the artists is Elvis Presley singing gospel. Is there a music channel today that sounds like this? If so, I think I and many others would listen to it daily.

I also found an online music source at www.abidingradio.com . It is inspiring also though not music I know.

Hope you have a beautiful day - remembering always where all good things come.

Michele

{ Last Page } { Page 1 of 6 } { Next Page }

About Me

Links

OUR HOMESCHOOL BLOG