daily living

Blessed Wednesday

After a taste of Hurricane Gustav last night, heavy rainfall, wind, etc, Oklahoma is experiencing a major cool down today. Our highs of 95-100 are no more, at least for today. Today's high was 73 and windy. I nearly needed a sweater. How I love the cool down that fall brings, but unfortunately for me, every time a change of seasons comes around, I end up getting sick. I'm feeling it  come on slowly, sore throat, constant sneezing, and an irritating headache. But I am one of the fortunate ones that sickness generally does not linger long. Praise God for that!

So, how has your day been? Ours has been full and tiring. After another productive day yesterday, today we all went to the dentist, well, all being myself, my oldest son, and my middle daughter. It was cleaning time and I have got a tooth that's becoming increasingly sore. Shame on me for not taking better care of my teeth. The kids passed with flying colors, however I didn't, so I'll be back in the dentist chair before long.

The rest of the day held school, cleaning chores, and now, I'm settling down to do some desk work...balancing checkbook, bills, menus and shopping lists. My beloved husband, apparently saw the look of exhaustion on my face and offered to take the children with him to deposit his check and said he would pick up a couple of the Little Ceasar $5 pizzas for dinner. I knew I married him for a reason. lol. So I'm getting to enjoy a little peace and quiet and I praise God for that too.

On my menu this week, and for the next many weeks, I'm going to include at least one meal a week that I make extras of to freeze. Being that this baby is due not many weeks before the Christmas holiday, I feel an urgency to prepare as much ahead as I can, that includes meals, and gifts, which for us is usually handmade of special baked gifts. So I'll be sharing that in the next few days as well.

Well, back to desk work and preparing for dinner to be delivered. Have a blessed evening!

Sara

Flavored Vinegars

I recieved these in my inbox today . They sound so fresh and inviting I wanted to share them.

Grandma Rosie

Blueberry Vinegar

3/4 cup fresh blueberries
white vinegar, to fill

Crush blueberries and put into half pint jar. Fill with white vinegar. Cover and
let stand in a cool place for 3 days.

Strain and fill bottle or leave in for a stronger flavor.

Makes: 1 half pint
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Chive Vinegar

chives, length of jar height or 1" lengths
1 lemon peel, 1" square
4 peppercorns
3 mustard seeds
white vinegar, to fill

Fill pint jar loosely with chives. Add lemon peel, peppercorns and mustard seeds.
Fill with vinegar. Cover.

Let stand in cool place for 4 weeks. Strain into pretty bottle. Two or three
lengths of chives can be left in botle for looks.

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Herb Vinegar

2 cups white cider or wine vinegar
1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, basil, rosemary or tarragon thyme or oregano
3 to 4 whole garlic cloves, optional
1 fresh herb sprig per bottle, optional
1 whole red or green chili per bottle, optional

Place the vinegar in a non-aluminum saucepan and bring to a boil. Place the
chopped herbs in a clean, hot glass jar. Add the garlic. Pour the hot vinegar
over, cover and place in a cool, dark place for 5 days, stirring once a day.
Strain. Add the sprigs of fresh herbs and chili for a zestier taste and garnish.

Store in a cool, dark place for up to 2 months. Refrigerate for longer storage.

Makes: 2 cups
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 Italian Vinegar

2 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 sprigs fresh oregano
1 sprig fresh sage
2 sprigs fresh basil
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 pint white wine vinegar

Sterilize a glass bottle.

Insert spices in bottle. Add vinegar.

Let the mixture rest in a dark cabinet or closet for at least a month.

Makes: 2 cups
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Tarragon Vinegar

4 sprigs of tarragon, about 5 inches each
1 garlic clove, peeled
2 lemon peel, 1 inch square
2 black peppercorns
5 white vinegar, to fill

Fill pint jar carefully with tarragon, without bruising. Add garlic clove,lemon
peel and peppercorns.

Fill jar with vinegar. Cover. Let stand in a cool place for 4 weeks. Strain.

Return 1 sprig of tarragon to bottle for looks. Keeps at least 1 year.

Makes: 1 pint

Blessed Tuesday

What a productive day yesterday turned out to be. Just when I thought I couldn't get any more done, after we got home from my parents, my beloved decided to help me get those last few things done on my list, like mopping the kitchen and bathrooms, and getting all the trash out. I was so thankful.

I'm praying today turns out to be just as productive. It felt so good to go to bed last night, knowing that all my to do's on my list got finished, and all my dishes were done. That just doesn't happen for me very often. But getting it all done yesterday was very encouraging, and made me want to work towards that every day. I was able to go to bed knowing...my children were all safely in their beds, my house was not immaculate but I got all my goals completed for the day, and fell asleep after reading a chapter in my Bible and a chapter from another favorite book, instead of going to bed with anxiety and discouragement from not getting everything done. What a blessed day!

Today holds all the daily tasks that a Tuesday could hold. For me, that is...

~Keep up with daily routines and kitchen tasks

~Wash all the dark laundry

~Work on sewing and handwork, which for today means finishing up the toy net for one of the girls, and working on cleaning up my sewing area.

~Homeschool

~Work in this week's zone (living/dining room)

And Lord willing that will be all for us today. Tuesday is usually an easy going day for us. I am working diligently this week on not only keeping up with daily routines, but also weekly ones. For instance, Sunday is a church and rest day, Monday is a deep cleaning day, Tuesday is a free day or sewing day, Wednesday is a desk day, Thursday is an errand day, Friday is our finish up day, where we finish up the miscellaneous tasks of the week, and Saturday is a family day.

I also have a laundry schedule I try to keep up with that goes something like this:

Monday-towels and sheets(This may seem gross to some, but I alternate washing sheets during the month unless I think they need them sooner. So the first Monday of the month is hubby and my sheets, then second week is girl's room sheets, and third week is boy's sheets. It works well for us that way.) I also wash any fabric I'm going to be needing to sew for the week.

Tuesday-Darks

Wednesday-Denim

Thursday-Lights

Friday-Whites

Usually I have only one load per day except usually on Mondays and Tuesdays. When I have a little one in cloth diapers, I usually wash them on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, or as needed.

Well, better get off of here and get to work. Do you all have special weekly routines or laundry routines, or do you usually just take care of things as they need them? Have a blessed Tuesday!

Sara

The First Day of September

"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."

John Updike, September

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I just love pears. They are one of my favorite things to paint! Most any of my folk paintings will have a bowl full if I can sneak it in. :-) I spent the morning making tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce and tomato juice. Tomorrow morning, we go pick up our new freezer and with a heart full of gratitude for the continued harvest, I'll begin to fill it.

Blackberry Cobbler

I very rarely make any type of desserts, but this one is a family favorite that I have tweaked to make it healthier.  Hope you enjoy it!

Blackberry Cobbler

2  10 oz bags of frozen blackberries

1/4 C Rapadura (honey would work as well)

1 C whole wheat flour

1 C Rapadura

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

dash of salt

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 C milk

2 sticks of butter, melted

1/4 C Rapadura

Place frozen berries in a bowl with 1/4 C of Rapadura or honey.  Stir; set aside to thaw and make a syrup.   When thawed and juicy enough, cut butter into pieces and place in a 13 X 9 inch baking pan.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place the pan in to melt the butter.   In a medium bowl,  combine flour, Rapadura, salt, and baking powder.  Add the milk and vanilla and stir well.  When butter is melted, pour the berries and syrup on top of the butter.   Pour the flour mixture on top of the berries, then sprinkle about 1/4 C of Rapadura on top of that.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes.

I enjoy it warm with a pat or two of butter on top.  Yum!

All quiet- not quite

Quiet here online
BUT
quite noisy in reality.
Very full days here.
Continuing with the squeezing, squishing and gathering all that we can of these last days before school begins again.
Tonight, right now, it is quiet in the house.
The children are outside.
Mr. Steady is tinkering.
These are the days- the unhurried days filled with promise and family.
We’ll have a campfire and eat our supper around it on tin plates.
Mr. Steady will throw in some cedar chips to remind us of Up North and we’ll do a bit of star gazing.
We’ll line the tub with a grit-ring before the night is over.
And tuck in cleaned and scrubbed kiddos for one more night of 30 minute reading before lights out.
Tomorrow we start up our homeschool group for the new school year. Just like in other schools it will be a half day- just wading in and getting use to the new schedule.
The evening will be our very special annual Back-to-School night here in our yellow townie farmhouse.
Alphabet Dinner
School Cones
Daddy Blessings.

*** Palin says 17-year-old daughter is pregnant ***

In my process of researching Sarah Palin, I'm finding more and more about her "human side".

I've been hearing rebuttle to my blog post on my general blog from bloggers who have legalistic views about women needing to be at home with their children so that they can be "good mothers"

I even received an anonymous post containing crap (not information) pertaining to feministic views of women from a skinhead website which is not only racist in origion, but contains hatred toward women, minorities and religions other than their own.

After deleting that paticular comment (any comment in my blog is subject to deletion ESPECIALLY if they don't have the gutts to put a name) and not responding to such hatred to give it more fuel, I decided to relax a bit and figure out what I could say.

In my recent findings today, Sarah revealed to everyone that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant and plans to wed.

Here comes the uproar I thought for a minute!

It's a shame that not only is there hatred left in this world, but that people would hide behind legalistic views to condemn people in Jesus name.  I am NOT one of those people.

I am a hardworking homemaker who after talking with my husband, is able to stay home and work for the needs of my husband and home...with one day having the blessing to stay at home with my own children.  I don't take that for granted one bit!  I came home during a tough time in our lives when Doug needed me here.  We learned how to live within our means on ONE INCOME and have since never turned back. I understand that there are many other women who would LOVE to do so and can't OR just feel their calling is in the community to make an impact on the world.  Whatever the reason, I respect that.

But as a Christian woman, there's one thing I WILL NOT DO.  I will not judge those other women who choose to work for the common good of their families and in Sarah Palins case, she's also working for the common good of America.

Like any nurse, poliece officer, pastor, soldier, Dr., Trash man and other workers who leave their families daily to work odd schedules so that people can live according to custom, and have the healthcare and emergency needs, it is NOT my job to judge another. I am also reminded by God Himself, when He tells us in His word that only HE can judge. That we will one day be judged by Him.  I can only imagine what He'd be saying to those who blatently judge based on their own idea of what people should be doing. 

~ Knock, knock. "Who's There"?  God says at the door.  It is I God, You know me!  "Ah, The one who felt compelled to take my place" says God.  Well Lord, You say here, here and here that I, um, erm.  "Did I not say Love thy neighbor as you love yourself?"  "Do you not know that if it weren't for me, you'd be in hell?"  "Do I not say in my commandments there is no other God accept for me? " God says.  "Then Why my child have you condemned others?"  ~

It makes me MAD when people hide behind legalistic views in the name of Jesus to spread hatred and belittle working women (or anyone else for that matter)  who in most cases these days, MUST work to keep their families afloat.  The book of James talks about each child of God having a God-given gift. Not everyone has the same gift.  Some have the gift of teaching, some the gift of giving, some a gift of ministering, and the list goes on and on and on. 

If we do not know what Gods conviction and will is over another, who are we to think that He hasn't a plan for Sarah Palin.  Maybe her gift is not only her family, but to share her testimony of trial and triumph with a hurting nation.  Someone who will listen.  She is human and is NOT God.  But she sure has a heart of compassion for the people in her community and country.

So back to her 17 year old daughter.  There is no doubt that this will be a tough road for her.  But she has something many other girls her age may not have.  The support of a loving mother and father. 

Sarah can understand what it's like to be a "working mother" . She also can understand teenage pregnancy first-hand as well as raising a child with special needs.  She wants whats best for her family and her country and is willing to tick her own party off if that means they're using taxpayers money to pay for frivolous things.

Does she have issues in her family right now?  Yes!  Is there any one person dumb enough to say they're absolutely perfect in every way?  I don't think so.

I absolutely LOVE to educate myself on candidates.  Truely there is no perfect candidate out there that agrees with ALL of my beliefs.  Until Palin was nominated as a possible VP nominee I was actually thinking of voting third party because I'm so sick of two parties that represent NONE of "We The People".

Now, I am more interested in educating myself on Palin, NOT because she's a woman (I'd have rather of had Condy Rice as President if that was the case) but because she fights for Us.  Granted we'll be learning more before we actually make a choice, but darnit!  I'm not going to make my choice based on false Biblical beliefs.  I know He wouldn't want it that way.

***In closing, Sarah Palin is dealing with reality right now.  I do not condemn her because as many with teenage children understand, you can't control their outcome. You can give them great morals and a loving home as well as a God fearing one, it's up to them to make the right choices.  What I'm focusing on, is how Sarah handles this in hopes that she will use these obsticles as a testimony to others.  It is without a doubt a teaching moment.  I'm sure one that her dear daughter would have loved to learn outside the media. 

And to all you working women out there.  I'm proud of you all and lift you up in prayer for each hard day you fight.  I'm not a feminist.  But I believe in femininity. I'm proud to be a woman and proud of the accomplishments God has enabled us all to accomplish.  We each have such a different gift and what an honor it is to individually use them in His honor.

Blessings everyone!

Rebekah

Happy Labor Day

First a little Labor Day History from Wikepedia.

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working citizens".

Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894.^[1] All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s.^{[citation needed]} The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday—a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

Today, Labor Day is often regarded as a day of rest and parades. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labour Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school. However, as of late, schools have begun well before Labor Day, as early as July 24th in many urban districts, including major southern cities in the United States such as Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. In addition, Labor Day marks the beginning of the season for the National Football League and NCAA College Football. The NCAA usually plays their first games the week before Labor day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.

Now most of you can't say you didn't learn something on Labor Day.

Today we have been working around the home doing the usual cleaning and housework. So far, here's what I've gotten done:

~Washed our comforter, sheets, and a load of towels.

~Hung comforter out on my temporary clothesline

~Made a crockpot of baked beans

~Made some homemade coleslaw

~Wiped down all the glass and mirrors in the house

~Deep cleaned the kitchen

~Did some general straightening up around the house

Still left to do:

~Sweep, Mop, and vaccum all floors in the house

~Take all the trash out

~Straighten and organize school stuff to get ready to get back to work tomorrow

~Go to my parent's house for Labor day cookout dinner

And after we have dinner, we'll just be coming home, taking baths, and heading to bed and getting ready for the rest of the week. I pray your Labor day holiday is a blessed one!

Sara

A Simple Woman's Daybook

 

Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!

Pieces of the Past

"The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the fragments, so that nothing be lost. I mean fragments of time, as well as materials. Nothing should be thrown away so long as it is possible to make any use of it, however trifling that use may be..."

--Lydia M. Childs, The American Frugal Housewife

I mentioned back in Spring that when we work ground, bits and pieces of the past resurface. Once a useful household saucer and cup, butter crock or bottle. Blue Willow, milk glass, Fine China and Mason jars now reduced to lovely bits...

It may be my sentimental nature, but I gathered them as we went along in hopes of creating something with them. This farm has been in our family for nearly seventy years, but was originally established in 1803. I can't help but wonder who these belonged to and what their lives were like. There are many years of occupants. Who were they? What was life like for them here? Perhaps someday, someone will find and gather the evidence of my days on this ground and treasure the fragments that remain of my life here.

You may obtain your own copy of The American Frugal Housewife here.