Country Cabin Living

Thankful Thursday

It is a very hot one indeed outside. I an thankful for the gentle breeze . I woke early to get  some chores done. The heat is great drying cloths on the line . Which I very thankful for. I am thankful that I can afford to have AC on in my home to keep cool . I couldn't afford to run the dryer even if I wanted to . So for me the choice is simply "Solar Dryer " . And it does a great job !!! Very Frugal !!!

I have been canning tomatoes and salsa small batches at a time . This is much easier on me . I used to wait and do large batches of tomatoes . But this got to be way to much to do in one day . Plus ,trying to keep up with other household chores .  I dried some bell peppers and froze some . I have been cooking with them everyday . They are very crispy and crunchy this year !! Great for dipping in Ranch !!!! I almost have enough okra to fry some(I hardly fry anything ) . This is the first batch , just coming in . I plan to freeze the rest for gumbo in the winter .

Here is a Tip from the Tiptionary : Crystal Light , make your own product with these ingredients . 1 cup lemon or lime juice ,5 cups cold water ,5 packets of sweeterner (any brand or type you like ).Mix in a pitcher ,serve over ice ,and enjoy !!!!

Cooler : Keep a cooler in the trunk of your car .You can stop for groceries with out having to to straight home. This is also a great idea during the summer months for keeping  bottles of water and snacks on hand while running errands . You will save lots of money from the convenience of your own cooler . And skip the high prices at the Convenience Stores .

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July !!!!  Shaune

The heat is on in South Louisiana !!!!

I don't know how the weather is in other parts of the world .I can tell you it feels like Summer in August and  we are only in the end of June . That make us all think we are in for a very,very ,hot summer. You have to go out early to check on the animals water  .And go out late in the evenings to feed them and check on them again .We have been watering what is left of the garden in the evenings after dark .It has been way to dry around here this summer . I have heard from and old timer that if you get snow in  south Louisiana  , you will have a bad hurricane season . And guess what we got over 18 inches of snow here in my parts of Louisiana . That was a record snow breaker  . I just keep praying that this isn't going to be true .

My son is excited about a mission trip coming up next month . This is his first mission trip . He will turn 15 the week after he returns for the trip . He has done several odd jobs to help pay for his trip . Our church gave him $200.00 dollars  .Wow , What a blessing !!  He wants to buy some new shoes and cloths for the trip . He will have plenty of extra spending money . I can't believe how fast my son is growing up . I am so proud of  his walk with God . And the helpful heart he has to help other people . He  also started teaching sunday school at our Church (very small group)  . There are only  3-6 children  ,but a great thing for him to do . He is teaching them a song to sing while he plays the guitar . He also sang last sunday and played his guitar . He did a really good job . It's hard to think about him being in the 10th grade this fall .

Here is some pics. for the spoiled baby goat "  Cupid" .He really isn't a baby any more . He is still snow white and a tuff little goat . He thinks he is as big as "Blacky" . Blacky is an old man ,he is wethered  and not the daddy of Cupid  .Blacky has a good life here on the farm . Cupid keeps him busy and young at heart . As you can see Cupid  has to stand on the wood log to be the same height as Blacky . They will rack horns for hours around this log. Cupit has no problem hanging with the big boys . It's the funniest thing to watch them playing .

Butter ,Butter ,Butter ,Please pass the Butter !!!

Dear Blogger Friends ,I am looking for a good homemade butter recipe . I have found some but none give the exact measurements for the ingredients. How much butter will it make at one time? I am praying some of you might be able to help or have a grandma to ask about it . I have borrowed my aunts butter churn(newer type) and butter dishes that her mother put butter in to measure 1 and 1/2 pounds . She doesn't have any recipies . She just remembers helping her mother with making it as a child. So any info about butter making will be very helpful to me . Thanks ,Shaune

How many ears of corn can one Gal shuck ????

More than enough for this year !!!!!!!!!!! I help my Great Aunt and cousins shuck corn til the cows came home . They put up about 50 quarts of cream corn  between the both of them for the  freezer. I put up about 25 quarts of kernel corn in jars . I had already up up 6 gal size bags to corn on the corn ,in the freezer . Plus we all ate some corn while putting it up . Corn ,corn and more corn !!!

I have canned blueberries ,and tomatoes . I dried green onions ,white onions ,and parsly . We are harvesting vegies from our garden every day . We put up a beans and peas . We are eating fresh squash ,green beans ,cucumbers, tomatoes ,lettuce(about gone) and blueberries everyday . Next month will be figs and watermellon coming in !!! Its  been nice to eat straight from the garden .

As you can see I have been very ,very busy canning ,freezing , drying and storing foods .We have a few weeks to go til we can harvest the rabbits . We have 6 that will be butchered .I plan to can the meat and freeze some . I am not depending on just the freezer this year . Do to the fact that we lost lights for 23 days during Katrina . And you never know when the lights will go out anyway . So ,I have decided to can or dry most everything that I can .  

I wanted to see how many of you have or still do make your own Butter ???? I borrowed my Great Aunts butter churn . I think I want to atleast try it . Do you have a good recipe ? I have never done this so I don't know where to start . I am getting bad about not posting pictures . I will post one of her butter churn . She even had some butter measure bowls .One is a one pound and the other is a half pound ,each has 2 pieces . These were her mothers butter measure bowls . I know they are very old ,because she is not young herself . I was so honored that she let me borrow them . I know they are dear memories of her childhood with her mother .Thats all for now , blessings Shaune 

What Fun Summer Activites Do You Have Planned ?

Greeting to ya all ,I was thinking of all the things we wanted to do this summer . We do alot of work on the homestead daily . I try to find some fun and simple things for our family to do . It is called a summer break ,isn't it ?  Here is  a list of things we really enjoy doing together .

River ,pond or lake Fishing and Swimming

Camping at State Parks (cheap in a tent )But very HOT !! or day trip

Movie or Game Nite ,with snacks ,sparkling  juice in wine glasses.

Make some Home-Made Ice Cream (A treat with all the works ,once want hurt !!)

Skating (indoor with a/c)

Family Water Park (kinda pricey ,but worth it once during summer)

Visit Museums (another good indoor trip)

Attend some free Work Shops (you might have to hunt for some in your area)

Go Tubing down the river .(Fun in the sun !!)

Go Canoe down the river .(sometimes camp on the river bank )

Four -Wheeler mud riding after a summer rainy day ,a blast with a few friends over. (Adults and kids love it !!! )

Back yard Bar-B-ques with family or friends ,take a dip in the sm.pool 3ft by 12round it gets us cooled off     .(we call it the water hole)

Shoot some POOL  in the guest house (It has well pd for it's self )

Have a backyard Camp Out ,and roast hotdogs ,etc

Hang out together on the back porch ,drink lemonade and chat ,or play rummy .

Eat Supper outside .(Away from the TV and Phone,etc )Your family will relax and chat away. time well spent together .

Have a Candle Light Dinner ,just because ! (serve drink or dessert in those dusty wine glass and get out you nice plates ,don't wait till you die to use them !!!    )

We love to hit all the Yard Sale !!! (sometimes you find great stuff of very cheap and that is the loveliness of being frugal) . 

We like to have some fun and not drain our piggy banks . There is alot of fun and cheap things to do if you just look around. These are some of the fun things we look forward to doing during the summer .If we don't plan a summer trip during the summer ,we atleast do some day trips together .And most of these don't cost anything .  We might not get to do them all this summer . But, I do try to do something extra special with my son during the summer . I would love to hear what your family does for summer fun . Just leave me a comment ,I can't wait to see what you come up with !!!! Happy Summer ,Shaune

Tiptionary For Gardening

Baking Soda Dusting

It says here's a safe way to bust pest that bother your cabbage and broccoli plants . Dust plants late in afternoon . The mixture of the morning dew settling on the soda will form an antiworm enzyme that won't harm humans .

Worms and Bugs :  To keep bugs and worms away from outdoor plants and household plants ,add a clove of garlic to the soil.

I do this one all the time for preventing Fleas on the dogs . My grandmother told me about it . You add a tablespoon or two of cider vinegar to a gallon water to your dogs drinking water . It is very healthy for  your dog and the fleas don't like vinegar smell or something . Make it milder at first til you dog gets used to the taste . Then add 2tbs or so .

I read somewhere that you can put dry bay leaves in your flour ,wheat ,cornmeal ,grits ,rice ,etc .It keeps bugs out of your stored staples . It keeps it fresher and it doesn't make the food taste or smell like bay leaves . I have been trying it for a while .It seems to be doing the job. I have even put the leaves inside my food storage chest to prevent mites, or weevils and such from even entering the storage chest .

I will post more tips soon . If you have any tips or such please let me know . I love sharing things that are helpful and truely work . Thats all for now .See ya later ,Shaune

HOW NOW BROWN COW ?????

Well folks we now have a Brown Cow to add to our farm . He is a jersy mixed with something . He looks like 90% jersy . Very Cute only 7 days old ,we bottle feed him twice a day . I haven't decided if we are going to eat him or not . Dear honey says yes we are . I had thought I might keep him and get him a girlfriend . And maybe raise their calves(bulls) to butcher . He says we for sure would't eat the babies !!!!!!!! So I don't know just yet  where his place is here on the farm . I'll post pics when I get a chance .

It's been a while since I blogged . I have been so busy around here with all the gardens and animals,work . Our rabbits are now 5 weeks old . I don't know if I updated you on the momma rabbits. Our momma rabbit(we bought her from our trip at Sheperds Hill) had 8 babies and one dead at birth . That was her first litter of babies . We have 6 that we will butch in 7-11 weeks. We are keeping 1 female for breeding . Mothers day weekend we bought 2 males to pair up with the females . Now we have 2 breeder pairs for meat rabbits . They  keep me busy checking their water and food every day . I'll let you know how the rabbit farming go's . I have found several recipes for ground rabbit and sausage . I love rabbit stew the best !!! And a large pan of Hot Corn Bread !!!!!!!!!!! I'm a country gal , can't you tell !!!!! This country girl will survive !!! Have a great week ! Till next time , Shaune

Gardening updates

As you can tell Latte's son Cupit ,and cow was wondering what was going on . On the second pic you can only see Cupits tail ,he was looking unders my right arm to see his momma .You can see in the back ground a few chickens are watching us . The horses were hang over the fence looking !! It was a project ,we can say we milked the goat !!! It was fun ,but not something I think I could do everyday .That's all I have to say about that !!! LOL Cupits is the blessed goat that we kept , and his brother got sold to a nice family . They named him Snowflake and bought him a mate for breeding and grass keeping . We haven't  found Cupit a mate ,yet . Hopefully we find him one soon . He will also be for breeding and grass keeping . He is such a sweet goat ,we love him very much . He's such a cutie pie !!!

I was wondering how your garden was coming alone ? Our is very fruitful all ready . We have gathered lettuce , cherry tomatoes ,cucumbers ,radishes ,parsley ,green onions ,yellow squash ,green snap beans , green sweet peas so far .After all this rain passes I'm sure we will have other vegies ready to harvest !!! We also planted okra ,bell peppers ,hot peppers ,carrots ,2 different lettuce ,2 different squashes ,zucchini , purple hull peas , beans ,potatoes ,watermellon ,cantaloupe ,sunflowers. It looks like we are going to have lots of blue berrries ,figs and satsumas . We also have lemon and pecans trees on our homestead . I had bought  what was suppose to be grape plants . It looks more like muscadines to me . We ate a few last year and they tasted like muscadines ,they are loaded this year . I have a boysenberry patch , I get a good many berries off them . We just eat them off the vines !! They want never see a canner !! LOL

Man ,I didn't think we had that much stuff growing around our homestead . I'm sure I missed a few things around here .

Our Rabbit had 8 bunnies and I died . Which was a very large litter for her first batch of bunnies . Mrs Angelia at Shepherd's Hill prayed the rabbit to be a good producer for our family . And indeed we were blessed with plenty . In about 10 more week we will have fryers ,and in 14 more weeks we will have stewer's . We are going to keep one female for breeding . We bought 2 young males (soon to be bucks) for the female that just had bunnies and for the female we will be keeping .  Two breeder pairs will be a great supply of meat . We will have some to share and sell as well  .

Our calf is starting to fill out more ,thanks to the grass growing better now . He is spoiled to thinking he has to have grain in the evenings . When we feed the horses . But ,we are keep the mind set that he is for providing "Food" for our family . I'll keep you posted as we grow beef !!!

I as so thankful for the desire to farm and grow food on our homestead . It is such a blessing and rewarding to see your harvest . I know it is not everybody thing  . Lots of people don't have the time for gardening .Or think it is way to much work . Even if you are just able to have planters on your porch ,you will be surprised at how much it produces for you . And it taste way better than anything you buy at the store !!  Gardening is a bountiful blessing for our family . I would like to hear how your garden is doing this year . Please share if you want to , I would love to hear about it . Thanks ,Shaune

Happy Mother's Day to you !!

Mother's Day is a Special way to say I love you , MoM !! Which words could never measure all the things we needed to tell you for all you do .Here are some verses form the bible that are talking about mother's .

Gen. 3:20 Adam named his wife Eve ,because she would become the Mother of all the living .

Exo . 20:12 Honor you father and your Mother ,so that you may live long in the land you God id giving you .

Lev.19:3  Each of you must respect his Mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths .I am the Lord your God .

Pro. 10:1 A wise son brings joy to his father , but a foolish son grief to his Mother .

Luke 2:51 Then he went down to Nazarbeth with them and was obedient to them . But his Mother treasured all these things in her heart .

This  by far is one of my favorite verses in the bible .(below)God is always the same to us all . Unlike the worldly people that seem to not care  . I have peace knowing that God's truely knows my heart . I have nothing to prove to anybody. My works are done  unto the Lord , not man . He loves me just as I am . This is just such a peaceful  verse to me knowing how much I love my child . And how good it makes him feel knowning that he is loved . I think we forget sometimes how much God really loves us . He isn't looking at our faults , he is looking at our Heart !!!

Isa 66:13 As a Mother comforts her child ,so will I comfort you ; and you will be comforted over Jersulem .

To God you are that perfect Child that he LOVE'S !!!!!!

   Happy Mother's Day to all you Mother's out There !! Hugs and more hugs , Shaune  

Aloe Vera Plants

I have been growing aloe vera plants for many years now . They grow good for me . They don't need that much care .They grow good on the porch or covered outdoor area . For winter you will have to cover them up or bring them inside if possible . They don't need watering everyday . They like it best once a week or so .They multiply very good ,so you will have some to share with others . For the little work you have to do for the plant ,if gives back in loads of goodness for you and your family !!!! Here is a list of things that aloe vera is good for !!!

Known as the Miracle Plant :Internal and External uses for the gel that comes from the plant .

Detox ,healthy digestion ,natural immune support ,reduce inflammation ,collagen & elastin (for healthy skin), regulate weight ,boost energy levels ,provides vitiamins and minerals ,amino acid,colds ,allergies ,edema ,dermatitis ,gum sores ,infections,bruises ,fade stretch marks , menstrual cramps & irregular ,dandruff ,boils ,scars ,acne,scrapes ,minor cuts ,rashes ,scratches ,burns ,sun-burns, wounds ,varicose veins ,psoriasis ,insect bites ,stings, dental health ,wrinkles ,reduce blood sugar type 1 and 11 ,helps heal cancer ,tumors ,aids ,immune system disorder ,used to prevent and treat many diseases .

Here is a recipe to make the gel into a juice you can drink to start making you feel better and become healthier .

Homemade aloe juice should not be refrigerator more than one week ,consume in 3 days is best !! Cut a 1or 2 long ends off a mature plant .Split the leaves into half and scoop the clear gel out for the juice .

Put aloe gel from a 1 or 2  plant leaves into the blender ,add 3 to 5 peeled oranges or other citrus fruit .Blend for 2-3 minutes .Put the juice into refrigerator for 2-3 hours to chill . May be drank with water or other juices to help the flavor . Just down it once a day .

If any of you have a(juice) recipe that you use aloe vera for please share them with me . I have been looking for  lotion or bath recipe using aloe vera . You may know other uses ,if so I would love to know about it . Thanks ,Shaune

More homesteading pictures

Candle and basket making .I loved both of theses to classes !!!

I was so excited to make candles .You braid your wick and then dip and dip and dip and dip and dip ,you cool it a bit between dips and it builds into a CANDLE !

Mrs. Angelia ,teaching the basket weaving class .

It was alittle confussing at first ,but then it got easier .Great indoor project !!

This is the out house that Bro. Paul built  .Don't know why I wanted a pic of us leaving the out house o-well !! . But it was such a blessing having it . So as you can see they have set up Shepherds Hill for future events as this one . They have more plans for the Homestead as the Lord provides . This is a trip you want soon forget !!!!

Homesteader's Weekend ,Cheese Making

Here are some more pics. Cheese making took several days to make .So each day we did different steps to make the cheese . The 4th pics down is the cheese press . For snacks on the last day we had homemade cheese and crackers , Yum.......!!!!

This is the solar cooker that my son and I made as a homeschool project . . And here is a real "Solar Cooker" that Bro. Paul built .This is now added to my to build list in the future .

Homesteader's Weekend at Shepherds HIll

I have alot of Pics. to post . So I think I will just post some each day by different events that took place . If you ever want to learn about more about God and homesteading ,this was the place to be . I was truely blessed just being around this wonderful family . Enjoy ,Shaune

This is the entire group of people that attended that event . Most of us camped out ,some stayed at a local hotel .My husband and I are at the left of the pic. I have the black jacket with pink shirt on  . My honey is behind me with with a dark jacket on  .Those are Rocket Stoves on the ground in front of the group ,which the dear men made by hand .

Here is the Rocket Stove's in the making .

Here my honey is getting the oven heated for cooking.

The soup is  heating up !!!!

Brother Paul (The owner of Shepherd's Hill)Getting ready to cook the cornbread .

One of the daughter's cooking cornbread ,it has started to rain .

They guy in this pic is courting the daughter above ,and he also lead the Rocket Stove class .

Just an over view of the group cooking on the Rocket Stove's .

Here is from left ,Myself and Sister Angelia, Brother Paul and My dear Husband .We are standing in front of the shower house that Bro. Paul built . I'll will post more so keep checking back with my blog . Have a great week ,Shaune

Today was a busy day !!

I got up early and watered the gardens . Checked the animals water and refilled some of them . With the weather turning hotter they need and drink more water . Our Rabbit  had her bunnies tuesday. She gave birth to 8 and 1 died. This is her first litter ,so that was a blessing !! They are tiny and cute !! But ,we are raising them for meat . We are keeping one female ,for an extra breeder . We are going to buy a male for stud service . So ,we are on our way to become more self-suffient !!! Praise the Lord !! My hen is sitting on eggs ,we also have guinea eggs in her nest . Every spring we wait for the guineas to hatch their eggs ,and it never happens . They say they get nervious and leave the nest and aren't very good hatchers . So ,maybe this way we will get some keets(baby guineas) !! My son's dove "Berniece" looks like she is going to lay eggs any day . The male 's name it "Birdnard" ,leave it to my son to come up with names like this .They are young and this will be their first nest !!  He is excited ,that he might have some  baby doves to raise . I think he plans on selling the doves when they start  hatching them .

I made a trip to winn dixie to get some of the sale items . Mayo($1.99) and chicken breast(buy on get one free) was on sale. I picked up some  baking stuff . 25 pounds flour ,25 pounds corn meal ,10 pounds sugar( I still had plenty ,or I would have got 25 pounds of sugar) ,baking soda ,2 large boxes baking soda ,jar of yeast ,8 cans of evaporated milk ,2 quick oats (42 oz),4 pounds beans ,10 pounds brown rice and a few other things .I had a list and stuck to it . This trip was mostly to restock  my stock-up items that I use regular .

I baked some bread this evening . For supper we bar-b-qued chicken breast ,and had baked beans ,and raw carrots with light ranch . We have been enjoying eating outside on our back porch . The weather has been so nice !! We don't rush for some reason when we eat on the porch ,we seem to sit longer and chat !! Which is what all children need ,time well spent with they parents .

Sorry ,I haven't posted any pics in a while . If you remember I had some pc work done ,and it has a different photo program that the one I was used to . So ,I still haven't completely learned how to re-size the pic .And I can't find the cd that came with the camera  . I still have lots of photos to share of the homesteader's weekend . I need to go to bed and get some sleep . I have to go to work tomorrow ,I'll chat later ,Shaune

Thrifty Tuesday

Hello dear bloggers , how is your day going ? Our has been good so far .We made our run to the feed store .Then went ot our favorite shopping place . It is a thrift store that we just love to shop at . Then off to the dollar store for paper goods and cleaning supplies . Here is what we found . I got 2 dress shirts for my son ,1 dress shirt for my husband ,(very nice) I found me some knee lenth dress pants ,and to summer shirts . We found some books that were like new . My son must have got 4 or 5 books and I found 3 books that were good. I also found this neat hand held  crank grinder (it comes apart for cleaning ),very cool little kitchen tool .I have never seen one like it .

For those of you looking for a good book to give to your teens I found one at the thrift store . Called "Checklist for life for teens " It says "Timeless Wisdom & Foolproof Strategies for Making the Most of Life's Challenges & Opportunites. Looks very good ,I wish I had something like this growing up . IT is a LIME green book by Thomas Nelson Publishers . Start looking for it ,I paid $0.50 for it . Here is a site I just seen on the back of the book . For other life-enriching books visit  www.thomasnelson.com

Here is a good family book that I bought for $ 1.00 today . It is call  "Tiptionary" and it gives the meaning on the back as well .

Tip-tion-ar-y  N. ,a fabulously fun collection os short , to-the-point suggestions for how to do things cheaper ,better and faster .

It also says, An encyclopedia( i can't spell this word with our looking at is )of down-to-earth ideas for making your everyday life less hectic and more enjoyable . From Mary Hunt's ,she is the founder editor and publisher of Cheapskate Monthy ,newsletter .WoW who doen't want a more enjoyable life . WE can learn so much good for others ,if we are open to new ideas . This book covers Family ,Food ,Home ,Money & Finance ,Travel and Auto . It is packed with information . For those of your that don't have this book i will try to start posting some tip from this book to share with you.

I like so many for us are looking for was to save and just live the best we can . I love to find  self help books at a way cheaper price . Both of these books were $15.00 each new . I only paid $15.33 for everything I bought at the thrift store . So for those of you that don't know about thrifty stores you can find some really good deals . I am not a brand name person at all ,but for $1.00 to $2.00 's I would be glad to by them for my family .It has been such a blessing to have this thrift store in our area . She moves stuff in and out ,so you never know what you will find . I have giving up on the goodwills ,they are way to selfish in my opinon . They really need to reduce their prices ,if they want to do good will to men !! I need to finish up supper ,have a blessed evening . Bye ,Shaune

Be Prepared for a Flu Pandemic

Hi fellow bloggers,friends and family . As many of you that live here in Louisiana may have received a handbook on this subject last year . HUMM...........What does our goverment's and president already know !!!They knew something was coming . I don't know if all residents recieve this handbook or not . Or if other states have something like this that they sent out last year . But ,I did take it seriously and saved the booklet . I will share some of the info with you  and request sites for the handbook.

There was 1,658,986 copies of this public document . That cost $663,594.40 to provide the public with this educational material  about how to prepare for an influenza pandemic . Which covers other types as well. It is estimated that millions could become ill in the U.S. during the next pandemic . If the pandemic is severe, it could kill almost 2 million people in the U.S. A very mild pandemic might kill fewer than 90,000 people in the U.S.  Compare this with the effects of seasonal flu,which leads to about 36,00 deaths in the U.S.each year . Just keep in mind I got this handbook in the mail last year and here we are now . What effect could it have on you even if your family doesn't get sick ?

         Illnesss could be widespread: 20 to 40% of the population could become sick during a pandemic.

        Services could be distrupted : Public transportation ,communications ,schools ,businesses such as banks,stores ,restaurants ,utilites ,medical care ,police and fire dept.

       Communtiy resources may be overburdened: Hospitals unable to care foe all the people that are ill ,stores running out of supplies ,not able to get nwe deliveries for a lone time. Will be encouraged to treat your self at home.

     A severe pandemic could have a significant economic impact . It is estmated that total costs could be in the billions of dollars. Wow ,our economy is already very weak and falling apart .

       Create an emergency kit :Drinking water have at least 1gallon per person per day . Store extra for pets .

     Gather supplies for at least 2 weeks: Keep them in a cool dry spot ,maybe protect  in large sealable containers . (Some local officials may recommend longer.)

   Nonperishable food : That don't need refrigerating and easy to prepare . canned soup ,stew ,fruits and vegetables , cereal and protein bars ,crackers ,canned juice ,peanut butter ,containers of baby food or formula if needed , pet food if needed .

   Medical essentials : over the counter medications for pain or fever ,such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen .extra prescriptions  (talk to your health care provider),vitamins ,thermometer ,medical face mask and N95 respirators .

   Personal supplies :Tissues ,toilet paper ,disposable diapers ,if needed ,feminine hygiene products ,if needed .

   Household goods : flashlights portable radio ,spare batteries ,manual can opener ,soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer ,garbage bags .(I would add disposable paper products ,plates,cups,forks ,etc.)

   You may have other needs , just being prepared it the best thing !! I will store extra rubbing alcohol and peroxide ,and bleach .This is a very basic list they listed in the handbook to give you an idea.

  Which most of these supplies are good to have on hand foe other kinds of emergencies ,such as floods ,hurricanes ,blizzards ,etc. So you should keep a stocked closet for these kinds of things that will happen in our life . It will be much better on you and your family if you are prepared before hand . Take the time to prepare responsibly for a possible flu pandemic .It 's worth it . Stay informed about the current status of pandic flu .

 For more info . Local sources include : health care provider ,local and state health department ,local and  state emergency management office  ,local offices of disaster-relief agencies ,such as red cross . public library .

  The US Department of Healthand Human Serves :  www.pandemicflu.gov , 1-800-cdc-info (1-800-232-4636) ,1-888-232-6348 .

   Other national agencies : US Department of Homeland Security  www.ready.gov

   I hope you all can use this infomation . It is packed with much more that I posted . I'm sure yo can request a handbook . There should be more information coming out for the public. Since it is now a big threat to the U.S . But I still wanted to let you all know to be prepared as best as possible . What ever will happen will be in Gods hands . I just feel that God  wants his people to have a way to substan their families  and to have a plan B . As the bible tells us in the end times there will be terrible times .  2 timothy 3:1-7

Happy Earth Day !!!

I have to say "I am a spring chicken " . I just love seeing the gardens come to life !!  And in the morning hearing the birds singing ..........!! All the trees are bright green with new leaves ,so refreshing !!! I love feeling the cool gentle breeze coming in at night while I sleep . I wouldn't trade this life you nothing . It is so wonderful to sleep in the country with the window open and not have to worry about a thing . I also think as I eat meals how I couldn't hear God's birds singing if I was all shut up in a box inside all the time . That is not me ,dear friends I need some room to breathe fresh air . 

Since our learning trip in Alabama at (Sheperd's Hill )  we have been on fire around here doing alot  to become more self - suffient . Which is so exciting to me ,I just love it . The hard work is so much worth it to our family . We have been buying and do alittle at a time ,day by day . You have to keep building on your dreams .  There are so many idears running through our minds about our homestead .We started the rain barrels this year ,and we love it . I can tell you the plants really love the rain water !! . We bought a hand water pump($45.00 w/tax) for our well . Yeah !!! we will have water now when the lights go out !!! My son is working harder and harder on his compost. Now that he knows how important it is for our garden ,plants,etc. And plus he can make extra money selling it . Our chickens are laying like crazy ,we give the extra eggs away to family and friends for now. If we get much more ,we will sell them as well . We are still waiting on the rabbit to have her babies . Then they will provide good lean meat for our family .I'll let you know how that go's . We also bought a 16 quart pressure cooker for canning meat ,and such . I didn't like the price($70.00 w/tax)  ,but it will pay for it's self soon .Working around the homestead is steady ,and things are slowing getting there it takes time buying as you go . And this is just a drop in the bucket .  It's a good feeling knowing you are moving forward and working toward your goals . Happy Earth Day , Shaune  

Internet Buzz About Food Production , in my local news paper .

It says not possible in our country ? Hun ? Think again . There is a suppose push to control and eventually wipe out homegrown food -chichens ,eggs , fruits ,vegetables ,etc. A bill already in Congress seeks to regulate all food productions from "farm to fork" according to Internet buzz. Rep. Rosa Delauro D-Conn has introduced the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 with 41 co-sponsors .Reports at this point that the bill could mean a $1million a day fine for those who grow food outside of regulations , and seizure and possible jail time .

There was a movie stated in the report called "soylent Green " by Charleton Heston in 1973 . Where armed federal agents swarming over your vegetable garden ,snatching up your tomatoes ,throwing you in jail and seizing your land for daring to grow your own food with out permission .

What is wrong with our Great Country ??? It isn't so grand anymore .Surely this bill isn't a first step towards controling the food supply . Surely no American Congress could be pressured by corporate lobbies to pass a monster . Surely corporate greed of this magnitude could only happen in a science fiction movie . Yeah ?

I cannot inagine Americans willingly giving up the right to grow their oun food or food for their neighbors just like I can't imagine Americans willingly giving up the right to bear arms .Somebody who thinks they can pull either of those off with out massive outrage in this country is awfull full of themselves . Or full of something .

Well ,what do you homesteaders think about all that crazy stuff ???? I think our country is starting to give up and is forgetting what America is(or was) all about . And how we got to where we are now . You give the devil a little and he will take over .The president is slowing molding and building his would as he wants it to be .It isn't going to happen tomorrow ,but just watch and see over time . Everything is already starting to go in his favor .No one has tried to stop him from changing anything .  He changes the rule to fit his personal plans . I sure hope we can stand strong and stop this Bill from passing . But ,I see nothing short of a World War starting over this one for sure .God, Please Bless America !!!!

God said ,Let the earth bring forth grass,the herb yeilding seeds after his kind, and the trees yielding fruit after his fruit after his kind ,whose seed is in itself ,upon the earth : and it was good. Genesis 1:11

And God said ,Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed ,which is upon the face of all the earth ,and every tree ,in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed ;to you it shall be for meat .Genesis 1:29

And Ahab spake unto Naboth,saying ,Give me thy vineyard ,that I may have it for a garden of herbs ,because it is near my house :and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it : or If it seems good to thee ,I will give thee the worth of it in money . 1Kings 21:2

And this is one of my favorite verses in the bible . I also have a Garden Sign in my garden with this verse on it . Build ye houses and dwell in them : and plant gardens ,and eat fruit of them : Jeremiah 29:5

Here's what I have to say to the evil people trying to trap all mankind . Every dog has his day !! God's will ,will be done .

For everyman shall bear his own burden .Galatians 6:5

Be not decieved ;God is not mocked: for whosoever a man sowth ,that he shall also reap . Galatians 6:7 

Homesteading Skills

We are back from our Trip to Alabama .We has a wonderful time at Shepherd's Hill . We learned more about homesteading hands on . If you are serious about homesteading and living a plain and simple christian life you should vist this site . I have a link to it on my blog.  You want meet a more loving and caring family . They are shinning stars in my opinion . They love the Lord , and are doing a mighty thing for others at their homestead . We were truely blessed just being there , surrounded around by other christians seeking the same life style . I'll post pictures later .

 It was refreshing of the mind ,because there is so much more we all could be doing around our farms . If gave me loads of ideas for my home stead . And seeing it be done on a daily bases, makes it real and do able . I have alway loved this life style , living off the land . I am glad that I know how to help provide food ,etc, for my family . We really shouldn't completely depend on having the luxuries of life . It comes at a high price . And as you can tell the prices are not getting cheaper .

 And some one just told me Well ,you know not everyone is going to have such a hard time, and will have to go back  to the hard life . (which I think is not hard ,but much more rewarding )Because some Christian have money to help them . HA ,Ha ,HA ,they need to have a homeschooled history lesson . MONEY Will NOT Have Any Value ,if Wall Street Falls Down ,And having money want do you a bit of good . Might as well use it as "tolet paper", if that day  comes in our lifetime . And you can't eat it ,so it will be useless !!!!!! I don't even need to go there. God  will provide for his people . And he wants us to be ready at all times . It is so sad now talking to others because they just don't get it ,our whole REAL purpose for being here on earth !!!! I am tired of people twisting the bible to fit they beliefs !!

We came home with a Rabbit , that will in time provide another meat source for our family . And add to the compost to enrich our gardens . She was breed before we came home . We pray she will become a good momma and have lots of babies .I know it is kinda crazy ,but that is how the food chain work . I also learned the meat is very lean and  has No Cholesterol  . I was raise on wild rabbits , so this should be better raising our own meat . I'll let you all know how it go's . Our farm keeps growing .We are being blessed the more we obey Gods word and I pray our blog is a blessing to all that read here. Have a great  week ,Shaune

Today was my 36th Birthday Party !!!

It was a very beautiful day in Louisiana . A nice and relaxed birthday  . My sweet son bought and planted me a flower bed . It looks really good !!! My wonderful husband brought  me some very pretty roses on friday evening . We bar-b-qued today with some family and friends after church . The children when mud riding on 4-wheelers and played hard all day .I know they all will sleep very good tonight !!! It was a very simple and fun gathering with very good folks . Like the good o'days ,something like not much going on but just hanging out and chating , spending time together . I ate way to much food ,and chocolate cake w/ chocolate frosting and chocolate ice cream . I hope you all have figured out that I must have a chocolate problem LOL !!! I don't know if I will be able to Sleep tonight !!! LOL

My honey and I are excited about going to a  Homesteaders Weekend event  in Alabama  this week . We are going to be learning alot about living off out land ,etc alone those lines . We will be camping out and traveling about 6 and a half hours to get there  . This is our 11th Anniversary gift to each other . We will also visit Georgia  ,since it is so close to where we will be . And that is neat because we neither one have been to Georgia . I have to aleast eat a georgia peach or something !!! That is the plan anyway it we have enough extra money to go over there . We pray for good weather ,and hope the rain passes that area of Alabama . Atleast , where we will be if it does rain anyway !! We will be surrounded by likeminded christian's all wanting to live more off their land . And that is what this event is all about ,teaching christian folks how to do just that . Keep us in your prayers as we travel .Thanks ,Shaune

Todays message at church was about with how these people live .Not to be like the world ,to life a plain and simple life . They want other people to know by looking at them and there lifestyle that they are modest christians . They do not want to blend in with the world . And God has convicted them to lead a more simple life and to share what they have learn with other folks .I am so greatful  to be a part of this event . We will have evening campfire worship and fellowship . They only have room for 30 guest (staying in campers,tents,or hotels)from all over the US . I'll take lots of pictures and share our trip with everyone when we return .

Here is Our Theme Scripture For The Event : "Behold ,the days come ,saith the Lord ,that the plawman shall overtake the reaper ,and the treader of grapes him that sowth seed ; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine,and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel ,and they shall build the waste cities ,and inhabit them ; and they shall plan vineyards ,and drink the wine thereof ; they shall also make gardens ,and eat the fruit of them . And I will plant them upon their land ,and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them ,saith the Lord thy God " Amos 9 :13-15

Here are some of the event classes that will take place :Green wood working ,processing fiber:shearing ,spinning ,weaving : sewing ,candle dipping ,livestock(to many to list )care ,raising for meat ,etc.) ,homestead toiletries ,cleaning supplies ,basket making ,gardening ,herbal workshop ,basic cheese making(hard and soft) ,soap making ,food storage and preservation ,making food mixes ,scroll saw ,rocket stove ,solar cooking ,beekeeping ,blacksmithing and I am sure I missed a few .