Dreaming of a simple way
Travalogue, chicken pox, swimming, and pancakes
I have 5 turkey carcasses in a cooler on my deck. I need to go get my pots and fill them with water for boiling. I should have done ti the moment we walked in the house yesterday..... but I was too foggy to think properly. sigh. so now, that is one day of simmering I have not got done, extending the process out later this week. I guess I shouldn't complain, since it will probably be a 7-8 day process anyway.... but still....We got to my mom's on Thursday morning. My bro and his family showed up soon after. we ate veggies and cheese and then had dinner. I made my children have 2 bites of everything - even stuff I know they don't particularly like (squash, stuffing, sweet potatoes made even nasty-sweeter with brown sugar and maple.... it is so sweet and sugary it is gaggy! anyway....) And they ate it. Good little children.
Of course, I did that as well. Need to be a good example. But I let them eat as much of the other stuff that they wanted after that, so they filled up on mashed pots and turkey. And then we took a walk to the park where we walked (or ran or played) the food off. Then home for hot chocolate and pie. I managed to score 3 turkey carcasses from my mom's neighbors. My brother, who went to massage therapy school, but RARELY ever uses his talents to bless his family, was convinced to massage my back and shoulders while I sat on mom's massage chair in the kitchen. It felt good, but my back was so tight, he could only do so much. When he was done, I just sat there not moving, and my ds7 came over to do what he saw his uncle doing. he was very good. what a sweet boy I have.Saturday morning, we left the children at grandma's to make gingerbread houses. We went to IHOP for breakfast. We went to a specific one close to the movie theater at which we had tickets fro Twilight at 10:30. Unfortunately, it is smack dab in a shopping center, and had a 30 minute wait "at least" - at 7:30 am!!!! So we decided to head to my SIL's to pick-up/drop off some stuff in the meantime. She pointed out that there was an IHOP right across the highway from her, so we went there; twice as big, and EMPTY (well, not completely) and we sat down just as dh's 30 min alarm went off. I had their yummy yummy "coffee cake pancakes" - the lemon blueberry (except I had strawberry) - and I LOVED them!
Then we went to the movie. I was very disappointed. First, let's start with all the garbage ads I had to sit through. Movie starts at 10:30. NOT. Ads start at 10:30.... movie at 11:00. As for Twilight itself, well, it was as true to the book as it could be, I like how they portrayed Charlie, the Blacks, Alice, Carlisle, and Jasper. It had a good Bella and Edward and I liked the kids at the high school. But I did not like the way it condensed the book. I guess there was only so many choices, but this reaffirms: NEVER WATCH MOVIES BASED ON BOOKS THAT YOU LIKE!!!!!!! I watched the first two HP's, but refused after that. I do not like the LotR books, so the movies were great for me. But I have not and will not watch the Narnia movies. The books are too much part of me, and my visions of them are the best, and I will NOT have those corrupted.
Then we went back to mom's for a few hours where I learned that my midwife's children have the chicken-pox. very exciting, and I was planning to head right over to expose my children.... but.... dh has never had them, and he is unsure about the wisdom of purposefully getting our healthy children sick. and, this is probably not the best time for getting the house sick with this. Especially since dh has not had it. We do not have time for THAT! Hopefully we will get another chance in the next few years. And we can decide what to do with dh in the meantime.
We went and did a bit of clothes shopping, and found our favorite pizza place closed - it was a small mom-n-pop shop with the BEST breadsticks you have ever had! They were immigrants from Bosnia, and they worked so hard to make it. Very sad. Then back to mom's where we got all the kids ready to go swimming. Oh dear, it has been too long. My little swimmer babies were afraid of the water! We used to go weekly, and my older two were swimming laps and playing in the deep (for them) without life jackets. They were 2 and 4 when we moved and quit. Friday night they would not let go of the edge. and dd2 was scared to death and would not let go of anyone. But by the end of the night, ds7 was swimming around easily (as long as he had on his life jacket) and dd2 loved the water and would "swim" (we push her away and tell her to "hum" when her face goes under) 3 feet to her other loved one. and dd4 - she refused to get out of the water until it was almost a threat of consequences. We need to find a pool here.
Saturday morning, I woke up, and took the olders on a date to breakfast (back to IHOP for more of those pancakes); g'ma came with us. we took some home to daddy and Lion (dd2) and then we played a game, cleaned up our room, packed our stuff and waved goodbye. Stopped at a friend's house for a moment, then on to home. And that was our Thanksgiving weekend.
my misery
I am sick. ughheadache (I have an ice mask on right now.... but it warms so fast, and soon it will have to go back to the freezer)
earache (I put in some GOOT and that took care of the pain, but the ringing is still there anytime my children sing or hum repetatively - which is ALL the time, and normally, I love the songs they sing...)
sore throat (I am making some lemon herb tea with Eucalyptus honey - that is always good)
tired body (I am headed upstairs to sleep)
floaty head - do you know what I mean? My head and body feels like it is floating around, not really connected to anything. That probably has something to do with my ears, eh?
slight nausea - is this a symptom of whatever I have right now, or is it a side effect of all the mucus hanging out in my throat aggrevating my all-too-sensative-because-of-pregnancy-gag-reflex?
and other side effect - I cannot spell today. so I apologize for my worse-than-usual spelling. ow - I need more goot in my ears. good night.
Be Bold, Be Strong
Sometimes it’s hard to be bold and be strong in the faith. Sometimes we don’t see the end of the tunnel. Sometimes we have a hard time walking in faith and victory. I have struggled with these issues of fear, doubt, and dismay, and they can be hard to overcome…. on my own.
Some who read my blog might think I’m a very bold person, but honestly I’m not really. Anyone who’s met in real life knows that I’m not at all a bold or arrogant person. However, I will tell you that I am bold and strong in my faith. I want people to see that being a Christian doesn’t make you weak, it doesn’t constrain you, and it doesn’t hold you back. I want people to see that in Christ I am bold and strong, and I can tackle any obstacle satan puts in my path because my Jesus defeated death. I want to be bold and strong in every area of my life so that I can be the best possible light for Jesus that I can.
Be Bold, Be Strong
Be bold, be strong
For the Lord your God is with you
Be bold, be strong
For the Lord your God is with you
I am not afraid
I am not dismayed
Because I’m walking in faith and victory
Come on and walk in faith and victory
For the Lord your God is with you
The main reason I picked this song this week is because I will be having a phone-interview today (or this week) and I’m really kind of nervous. I don’t do good on the phone and I’ve never spoken with the journalist, and this song reminded and encouraged me that I don’t need to be afraid or dismayed because I’m walking in faith and victory! My name does mean Joyous Victory of the People!
I hope it has encouraged you in someone way. Don’t ever be afraid to be bold and strong, or to do what’s right when so many are hover around you with a dissenting opinion. Don’t listen to them. Listen to Christ, and don’t be afraid to ask those who you know to be true for help.
Blessings!
What to do with Turkey Leftovers
Friday on the Homestead
. While I napped the kids and Tobin played Taboo. Then we moved onto pumpkin and apple pie. Emily was in charge of table decorations and she did such a nice job. Here is a pic of the table and place settings…
A Thankful Heart
Yes, of course, we should always be thankful for everything we’re blessed with, but it’s not too often we actually sit and ponder what those things are. I picked 27 things to list that I’m thankful for because this year Thanksgiving is on the 27th of November.
- Amanda and Rachel, the two other older sisters in the house. I’m thankful for them because not only do they put up with me but are willing to give of themselves in many areas for the family and for me.
- A computer. I’m often complaining of what a horrible computer I have, but I must say it works far better than not having one at all.
- My Dad’s job that allows him to come home everyday, though it’s late
My afghan from Auntie Christina to keep warm with at night- Hot water-hose so we can give the animals a warm drink in the freezing-cold.
- Peas - we have peas every night because Dad’s really likes them. I’m thankful that we have peas instead of say, artichokes.
- Freedom from real persecution as they have in China and overseas
- The opportunity to witness to young ladies around the world
- Sisterlisa and her family
- My robe. I love my robe. I wear it everyday
- Forgiveness when I don’t deserve it
- Ecards on a gloomy day
- The ability to stand and move - even if it means I can also clean the house.
- [fake] Curly hair
- Dinner every night
- Being homeschooled
- LucyLillie’s smiles and giggles
- Caleb sleeping at 3am
- Artistic abilities
- The comfort of family and Jesus when I feel betrayed, over and over
- twitter, an excellent way to keep up with bloggy-friends
- That I can bless people, instead of just receiving
- Two eyes to see, a nose to smell, fingers to type, toes to find furniture, ears to hear, etc
- Promises of God
- A heating-system, though I’d love a wood-stove!
- Lessons God gives me
- Thanksgiving dinner
Scripture Share
Hebrews 13: 5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”
Always remember not only to be content but to be thankful. We have the promises of Christ our Saviour that He will never forsake us!
I hope you have an absolutely fantastic Thanksgiving! Be sure to take a photo of your table and then check at Growing In Grace Magazine for a fun linky!
Blessings!
how to cut a [free] turkey
We are not BIG turkey fans around here, but when the local grocery gives you turkey vouchers every time you shop, and you get some extras from a friend.... well, I got a 16# turkey for $.02. Free food, really.but - we are only 5 people, who have a hard time eating a 5# roast chicken in 3 meals. So, how does one deal with 16# of meat? Even free meat. Well, a little research gives some ideas......
http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--436/cutting-up-a-whole-turkey.asp
great illustrations of how to butcher a turkey. Give it a minute - for some reason this site was slow to load even on my usually fast connection.
and the USU extension service has this PDF:
http://extension.usu.edu/boxelder/files/uploads/fn290.pdf. (I hope this works - I have never linked to a PDF before...)
this is cool because it claims that you do not have to fully defrost the turkey to butcher it, and then you can refreeze the portions... definitely helpful in my situation. It does mean that I will have to work fast though, and have freezer space ready and waiting. Still..... a handy thing to know.
Oh, and assuming we can manage a 5# chicken in 3 meals, a 16# turkey could conceivably last us for 10-12 meals. Not bad for 2 cents!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
From our family to yours...
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!
"Over the river and through the woods
Trot fast my dapple gray.
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound
On this Thanksgiving Day, Hey!
Over the river and through the woods
Now Grandmother's face I spy.
Hurrah for the fun,
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie."
- English folksong
In just an hour or so, we'll pack up our baskets of goodies and indeed be heading "through the woods" to Grandmother's house. Of course, it's now my sister's house, but it still brings those wonderful memories of gatherings and meals that Gram prepared for us. We have much to be thankful for, as always. Thank you for your visits, your sweet comments, friendship and prayers. I count you among my blessings!
A GREAT deal for Homeschoolers
As I'm sure most of you know, I love The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. For homeschooling families, it is a must have resource. If you have always wanted to try it, now is the time! Of course, if you already subscribe, it's also a great time to renew because...
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is having an amazing sale on subscriptions during their annual Black Friday Sale November 26 – 30. For those 5 days only, they are drastically reducing their one-year subscription price to $7.95! That's the price you would usually pay for just one issue at a bookstore!
This is their lowest price ever on the magazine and they want all of you to take advantage of this offer and share the info with your friends. Please don't miss out. Your one-year subscription will pay for itself time and time again as you receive practical tips and Biblical encouragement to keep going strong in your commitment to homeschooling and to the Lord. Since it's a quarterly magazine, they even have a monthly subscriber's only E-Newsletter called Teacher's Toolbox that will give you seasonal teaching ideas and a free E-Book download! It's like joining a unit study of the month club! The free E-Books alone are valued at almost $250/year. It's really perfect for people who are homeschooling on a shoestring or just wanting to add in some little extras to your teaching.
Plus during the Black Friday Sale, they have all kind of bonus gifts when you spend $50, $75, $100, or $150. Some are electronic downloads that you can download immediately, while other are physical products mailed from various vendors directly to your home.
AND, their Win Big contest is going on so if you just happen to be customer 67,000, you will receive a prize package valued at almost $500 which includes a $150 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store! Who couldn't use that? And you can qualify to win it no matter how much or how little you spend!
Mark your calendars for November 26 - 30th and do a little shopping from your seat, not your feet at the Schoolhouse Store's Black Friday Sale!
www.TheOldSchoolhouseStore.com
'Twas the night before Thanksgiving...
There are pies in the oven and a turtle cheesecake cooling on the counter. I'm taking care to rest in between making desserts. My surgery went well yesterday. I was flooded with peace and just knew that my friends were praying for me. Don't ever wonder if your prayers make a difference...they definitely do! I woke up this morning feeling much better, so unfortunately, I did too much. I am in quite a bit of pain this evening and have some difficulty getting around, but it's only day two, so I am trying to be patient. After our meal tomorrow, I will rest and try to as much as possible over the weekend as well. I look forward to tomorrow's festivities. There is much to be thankful for!
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