Calming Down

   My week is finally calming down and we are able to go back to our normal routine! For those of you who didn't know my Sister in Law's mother passed away lst Thursday. She was 46. So I have been keeping my Brother's boys, ages 4 and 9 months. They are such sweet little things. But they did not understand why they had to stay at my house for so long. My Sister in Law is 23 and had to make a lot of decisions on her own. She is the youngest out of two children and her brother didn't know as much of what their mother liked and disliked. But it is all finished, she has been laid to rest in their family cemetary under a shady tree and it is really nice. Not to mention it is just a horses ride from my Brother's house. She will be able to take care of her grave and plant lots of pretty flowers.

     Monday and yesterday I kept my cousins two girls. She has just gotten a job at our local public school and the girls don't start until Thursday. They were really good and helped me to catch up on lots of house work that needed to be done. That was such a blessing!

   Yesterday I also got some Kitchen duties caught up. I made butter. Cultured my buttermilk. I made a new sourdough starter.( With all of the excitment I had neglected my other one.) I made yougurt, and by mistake added 1 cup of culture , instead of 1/2 a cup.  But it turned out to be the creamiest yogurt I have ever made! It is thick just like store bought, but without all of the chemicals and preservitives. So from now on I will be adding one cup of cultures to every batch.

    Well I need to go for now, We are able to get back to our school work today!( WOO HOO!!!!!) We have had such fun so far this year in school. I am ready to settle down again into our school routine.

     I hope and pray that all have a very blessed day and a healthy day!

                                                             Loving to be a SAHM,

                                                                        Holly

P.S. Thank You God  for the strength that you have given me to care for others children when they are in need. I couldn't do it without your help!

And I also thank you for the privalege to home school my own children! I count it as an hohor!

                                    AMEN!

7:44 AM - Wednesday, August 13, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Weather, School, and Canning

Today reached 101. That is hot! But this evening I checked the weather and it was 88 degrees at 8:00 p.m.  with 75% humidity making it a whopping 109 degrees! Can it get any hotter? I can't handle it this hot! ( Thank God I am a Christian or I would have to spend eternity in a place that is even hotter!)

  I made Salsa today, I have enough to fill 10 quarts! I  will have to get that canned tomorrow.  It is  supposed to be cooler tomorrow, Praise God!

  We started our first day of school for this year, it went really smooth, thanks to using my home managment binder, and God! I have never had  a year start off so smoothly! And I even had unexpected company and phone calls! It was such a blessing! My children had such a blast! We just love Home School. This makes our third year of home schooling and it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Worth it!!! My children have just blossomed! Thank You God for our freedom to teach our children according to your word!

  I pray that everyone is staying cool and having a very blessed week,

          Holly

8:52 PM - Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Busy Morning!

This has been a busy morning! I jumped out of bed, made it, and got dressed and cleaned my room. Did the chores outside and got ready to go to the dairy to get our milk.  When I got home I had to put dinner in the oven, feed the children and got some tomatoes in the canner. I have just finished two loads of laundry and mopped my floors, so while my floors dry I am going to take some time to set and breathe!! 

  This afternoon I will have to put some beans in the canner and finish my laundry. Isn't it wonderful that I don't have a job? Other wise nothing would get done! I do love being a stay at home Mom and wife!  Even with all of the jobs that constantly need to be done I LOVE to be at home!

  Well I will rush off, I have caught my breath and the floors are dry. I hope all are having as much fun as I am , cleaning and caring for my family!

11:21 AM - Monday, July 28, 2008 - comments {4} - post comment

BUsy, just way to busy!

I have been just so busy! I have been canning left and right and yesterday topped it all off! I had to put up tomatoes, take dear daughter to piano lessons, and bake 13 loaves of bread! I made the bread for a pie autction to benefit a little baby that is in the hospital. They will auction it off this evening. I did have fun baking! I love to bake! Then this morning I got up and canned some chicken broth and some tomatoes.

    This afternoon I will take my son to speech , and go to a neighbors to get some milk. It is the best raw milk I have ever had! I have used 3 gallon this week already! She sells it for $4.25 a gallon with the cream still in it. I let the cream rise and make my own butter. I find that my yougurt is thicker if I leave the cream in it though. The kid's love it this way! And it makes the best buttermilk! I thank God that we have fresh milk.

   Has anyone ever read Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon? If you havn't get it and read it! It is a wonderful book. It tells just how some things are made and what is in them. And it is full of great recipies with all natural ingreadiants. I bought my book from Amazon.com. I have been using many recipies from this book and my family loves them!

   Well I better go for now, I hope everyone has a very blessed day! 

9:41 AM - Friday, July 25, 2008 - comments {3} - post comment

I am sad to say....

1:27 PM - Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

As Promised, A tour of my home.

As I promised , here is a tour of my home. I will warn you that my home is not fancy, it is not large, but it IS a home.

   God blessed us with this home after we were made to move from a home that we had lived in for two years. We had no idea that our land lord at the time was trying to sell the house. He never mentioned it. One Sunday he knocked on the door and said he wanted to show the house to some people, we were told the next day that we had one month to move. That was a shock, where do you find a house that will be good for a special needs child in just one month?! I went to prayer!! God did not answer my prayer right away. We had to move into a mobile home that was offered us for  a few months . That mobile home was fine until summer hit. Then it was 105 degrees inside with an air conditioner running. My son has really bad asthma and seizures so it was hard on his health.  Needless to say God provided us this house. With a payment that we could afford, and it is our house! We were blessed with a loan to buy it.  I did not want in town at all, But this is where God wanted us. We own two lots so we are able to have a garden chickens and rabbits and still room for the kid's to play. My house is small but it is just my size.( You see I am 29 years old and am only 4 feet 8 inches tall. I weigh 110 pounds.) I do know that my sons seizures and asthma have been much better since moving into this house! God has truly blessed us with it!

   Let the tour begin!

This is the front yard. You can see how small it is. That is all there is.

   That is my son and our dog. The dog was given to my son to help with his asthma, little did we know that he would bark when our son is having a seizure.

   Now to the inside:

   When you walk through the front door, you will see this:

These are the chairs my husband and I sit in .

Here is my piano. I love to play. I am the pianist at our church. I don't know how to play anything but hyms. I always asked the Lord to teach me and he did. But that is all I can play, I wanted to play for God's glory, and his only!

Here is our couch, It is old, but comfy. I got it for $10 at a garage sale.

Here is our T.V. area. And the only window in the living room.

 To the right you can see the door to my sons room.

 This is what it looks like. Please excuse the curtains we have been putting paneling up and are getting ready to do some painting. So I took his curtains down.

 The rooms are so small that I can't take a larger picture for you. Behind where I am standing is the door to our only bathroom. It is so small that I call it our water closet.

It is just big enough for a tub with shower head, toilet, and sink. Only one person at a time in here!

Back out and right across the Living room is the doorway to my daughters bedroom. Her doorway is right by my piano.

Here is what her room looks like.

 This is her closet:

 And back out of her room into the living room I will take you to the kitchen. The living room and kitchen are combined, with a partial wall between.

 I just Love my kitchen!!

  Here is where we eat:

And my Bakers rack:

 To the right of the kitchen is the laundry room/ pantry room:

 And to the left of the kitchen is my husband and I's room:

   And here is a picture of the floors in the living room and kitchen. We have wood Lamenanr flooring and I just Love it!! I wishe we had it in all of the rooms!

   Well there is my home, I told you it was small and not fancy, But it is home. A home filled with the peace and love of God! A home that was given by God! I hope you enjoyed it, I know I had fun posting it!

9:38 PM - Saturday, July 19, 2008 - comments {6} - post comment

IT IS SUMMER!!

Today I have really been busy, I put up a bushel of corn, I have canned 7 quarts of beans, Did laundry , cleaned house and have gotten really hot!!! It is 102 degrees here in Oklahoma and that is HOT!!! This afternoon I am hoping it will cool down enough for me to make some Zuchinni bread.

   Does anyone have a good recipie?

   By the way, my company didn't stay very long, they had to get back early, that was dissapointing. BUt we did have a good visit. But at least we got to spend one day together. Now I can look forward to Christmas when they will be back.

   Hope all are staying cool in this Hot July weather,

                           Holly

4:57 PM - Saturday, July 19, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

New Arrival!

This morning one of our does had babies! We now have 7 baby bunnies! They are so cute! I feel for them in the heat though, I am hoping that they don't die because of it! It is 102 degrees today and they are so hot! I am afraid of bringing them in the house, I am afraid that if I touch them their mother will kill them. Can anyone help?

4:54 PM - Saturday, July 19, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

Canning!

Sorry I havn't been on much, however I have been very busy canning! We have put up Salsa, Purple Hull Peas, Green beans, Okra, Corn, Peppers, and Chicken Broth. Not to mention in between all of this I have been cleaning and getting ready for company. They will be staying for  4 days with us. We only get to see them once a year due to the fact that they are in the army. 

  Well I am off again, I need to go finish up some more beans.

Next week I will try to post some photo's of my house. I will give you a little walk through of my home. And I hope to do a week of photo's of me in femine dress doing my daily tasks.(inspired by Candy of www.keepingthehome.com) I think it will be a lot of fun to do. See you all again soon, and have a very pleasent day!

10:00 AM - Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

Thank God For that still small voice!

I thank God for that still small voice that he talks to us with! I was preparing supper and put some bread into the oven to crisp up for Garlic bread. After placing it in the oven I went into another room to continue some of my chores. I felt a need to go back into the kitchen to check the bread, and boy am I glad that I did! My oven was on fire!!!!   I knew that I wasn't supposed to throw water on it or it weould get worse. So I asked God what should I do?! This is what he told me to do: Turn off the burner out of the oven, take out the pan of bread very carefully, then throw baking soda on it. And that is exactly what I did! The fire went out instanly, our bread was saved, and my house is still standing, I don't think my oven is messed up , and I am not burnt! I thank God that he speaks to us!

  I think the reason it caught on fire is that it had a little spilled greese in the bottom that I did not see. I baked chicken Sunday and hadn't used it since then.

God is soooooooooooo good to us!

5:26 PM - Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

BEANS!!!

Today my children and I snapped enough green beans to make 3 quarts! That is nice for one days picking. We also hung up about 40 cayanne peppers to dry.  Then after all of this was done I ground my sage that I had drying, it smelled sooo good. I can't wait to use it in chicken and noodles.

 It is supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow , This will really make things grow once the sun comes out!

I am hoping to be able to put up at least 10 more quarts of beans by the end of the month. With the way my plants are loaded I don't think that will be a problem. I will count them when they are all canned and let you know how many we get.

For now though I am off to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I have to take my son to the doctor to have some blood work done and then do  my grocery shopping. This is my big shopping trip. I shop once a month, so you can just imagine the day I have ahead of me. Not to mention it is the 4th and we have a BBQ planned for tomorrow night. But with God's help I will get it all done.

 Everyone have a wonderful Holiday, and please be safe!

9:19 PM - Thursday, July 3, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday Dear America!

Happy Birthday To You!

Thank You God For Our Freedom!!!

4:08 PM - Thursday, July 3, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Sourdough Bread

Here is the Bead recipe that I use with my sourdough starter.

This makes the Best Bread!

  You will Need:

  1 cup starter

  1 and 1/2 cups warm water

  1 and 1/2 teaspoon salt

  1/2 cup sugar

  1/2 cup oil

  6 cups flour ( white or wheat is fine. I prefer wheat.)

    Mix all together and place into a greased bowl. Let rise until double in size. Punch down and knead. Divide into two loaves and place into two greased bread pans. Let rise until about one inch above bread pan. Then bake on 350 degrees until golden brown and sounds hollow when thumped on the bottom of the loaf.  Let cool, then slice, spread butter or cream cheese on it and Enjoy!!! 

3:59 PM - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Sourdough Bread Starter

Here is the sourdough Bread starter that I use.

You will need:

2 cups flour( I use wheat)

2 cups water

1 and 1/2 Tablespoons yeast.

Mix all together in a gallon jug.( Never use metal to stir or store your starter.) Cover with a towel and let set on your counter for 24-48 hours.  Place in Fridge when 24-48 hours has passed. You will know that it is sourdough when it smells like beer.

   YOu can keep this in the Fridge when not in use, but when it is going to be used in bread, you will have to let it set out for 6 hours to proof. I set mine out before I go to bed so that it is ready in the morning.

To feed your starter you just add equal amounts of flour and water, stir into remaining  sourdough and let set out for 24-48 hours. The stronger the smell the better the bread. ( If your sourdough ever turns pink in color or starts to grow fungus of anykind, THROW IT OUT!! )

3:50 PM - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

I hope I have it

I hope I have it this time, please leave me a comment on what you think.

    I am hoping to add some recipes this week and share with everyone just how we cook and do things around our homestead. So check back to see if I have added anything new!

                   Everyone have a good day!

                          Holly

2:56 PM - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Updating

I am updating my blog, so if you keep seeing changes please be patient, I will get it all situated eventually. I am learning a lot with the help of Chas.

Thanks for your patience,

                  HOlly

1:59 PM - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Here is something us Homesteaders have always known!

Here is a neat video that is showing America what we have always known!

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=8484100

I hope this link works.

I hope you like it.

8:17 PM - Monday, June 23, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

So busy!

I have been so busy! I have been deep cleaning my home and my yard! With all of the rain we have had my onions and potatoes had to be dug, the tops were starting to rot, but the bulbs and potatoes were still good. I wanted to be able to at least use some of them. Everything else in the garden is doing great! We now have ears of corn on our stalks. We should be able to pick cucumbers by the end of the week, and have already been picking peppers like crazy! My tomatoes are starting to turn, and we have small little Okra coming on! I am so excited! We will be able to start eating lots of things before to long. Not to mention my beans are all in bloom! I feel so blessed that we have the garden that we do, so many have lost theirs!

   I have also been working on a Home Managment Binder, It has been so much fun! I ran across the idea after reading a site called Keeping the Home. Candy has so many wonderful ideas! You can read them too at www.keepingthehome.com. I hope you enjoy her site as much as I have!

  Well I need to go, supper is done and my dear husband should be home any minute. I want to make sure the house and kid's are clean before he arrives. He works around filth all day, I don't like him coming home to it . His castle should be clean, and I his Queen love to keep it that way for him!

   I pray that all have a very blessed evening!

5:26 PM - Monday, June 23, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

And sew on, and sew on, and sew on!

 My children are growing faster than the weeds in my garden!!! I can tell it is summer, they are outgrowing everything! I have accused them of standing in the manure to long but they deny this with strong emotions! Yesterday I sat and worked on sewing all day. I made two pair of pajammas, a pair of capri's, a skirt, and a blouse. Today I have to make another blouse, two pair of shorts( this is what my son likes to sleep in), another skirt and some more capri's. It looks like I will be sewing tomorrow too! My children have outgrown almost everything they own! When I have them well supplied with clothing I would like to sew for me, By the time it gets to me though I will probably need a break.

   Speaking of my garden, I now have three very tiny cucumbers on my vines, several small tomatoes are starting to show and my green beans are in bloom! I am so excited!!! It won't be long until I will be able to eat all of those delicious foods and not have to worry about getting something terrible that will make us sick!

  My chickens are doing really well, They are growing. It will be a while before they start laying though. They are only 2 months old.  I have been told 6 months to a year. Is this right? If you know please let me know! I am so anxious to have my own eggs.

  Well I must go for now, I need to get sewing. I hope to share photo's later of some of my projects. If I don't though don't hold it against me, sometimes my camera isn't very reliable!

Everyone have a very blessed day! And may God do something special in everyone's life!

                        Love and Prayers,

                              Holly

8:13 AM - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Prosperous Weekend

This weekend was really a busy one. But I did get a lot of things finished that I needed done.

Saturday was my Mother's birthday and we had a party for her yesterday. It was a good time with all of the family together.

Over the weekend I got all of my tomatoes staked( or cages ), my cucumbers started up a fence so that they are not on the ground, my hens put in their pen (They are no longer in the house. I was sad to see them leave the house.), and I also got the boxes finished for my rabbits since they are expecting. I have had a really busy weekend. 

    Today I made a white chocolate pie and finished all of my laundry . All of the house cleaned and swept and vaccumed. Supper is started and all I have left is the garden to weed after the sun goes down.  It has been a wonderful day! It has been hot, about 90 degrees F. but a good day none the less. The children played in the water to stay cool and I kept working and didn't think about it.

    For supper we are having Chicken and rice casserole with Broccoli.

Tomorrow for lunch we are having Spaghetti with Garlic Bread. Tomorrow night for supper we will have either left overs or if there aren't any left overs we will have Fish and potatoes.

This week we will be busy at the church, we are going to have an auction to help pay for the new windows that need to be put in. We are also trying to insulate the walls of the church, it was built years ago and no insulation was put in when it was built. I think it was built in the 40's. My Father is the pastor of it now, and his Father before him. My Father is 47 His Father passed away 30 years ago and was 65 when he passed away. That will give you some idea of how old our church building is. We are trying to bring it up to date. Please pray that God will bless our auction so that we can care for God's house.

   Well it is time for my dear husband to be coming in from the shop, I need to go finish our supper. I pray that all have a very blessed evening!

4:29 PM - Monday, June 2, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment