Faith Farm

still here!

{ Posted by pearls4him }
{ 03:05, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 } { 1 comments } { Link }

I haven't posted lately. It's the story of my life; I have been waiting for Liv to download pics & life got really busy all of a sudden. It went of cold very rainy Spring to Summer, right now! Animals, garden out of control, flowers being too wet now drying up, laundry, my oldest daughter's wedding in Colorado, kids summer camp, local parade & family day in the park where we took our goat milk soap & sold it, and on & on ...... I don't like CRAZY BUSY! I heard someone say once that B.U.S.Y. was an acronym for:

B-being

U-under

S-Satan's

Y-yoke

while that sounds a little strong to me at times, sometimes life just "get's busy"with 13 kids & a farm but, I do try to remind my self & evaluate the things I'm doing. Do they bring honor to God? Are they REALLY blessing my family? Alot of times I have to say No. So as I type I am evaluating some things and revamping my schedule. I want to be sure my farm living doesn't take all the carefreeness of summer out of my life the life of my kids. I want to enjoy my flowers & grass not just worry about the watering & up keep, if you know what I mean. It is late & we have company coming for a visit thru the 4th of July so better go for now. I will post hopefully soon with news of our farm & family happens as well as PICTURES! lol

from OHG archives.........USES FOR BEESWAX

{ Posted by GrandmaRosie }
{ 2:42 AM, Wed 1 Jul 2009 } { Posted in FRUGAL LIVING } { 1 comments } { Link }

from OHG archives

USES FOR BEESWAX

1. Rub it on your iron.
2. Rub it on cookie sheets, pie and cake pans.
3. Rub it on woodscrews, nails, windows,doors and
drawers.
4. Rub it on skies, toboggans, sled runners, fishing
line, and bow
string.
5. Rub it on zippers.
6. Keeps hand-sewing thread from tangling.
7. Mix with linseed oil to make fine furniture polish
and wood
preservative.
8. Melt it to make candles and decorations.
9. Use to wax your eyebrows, mustache.
10. Used to make Eastern European Easter eggs.
11. Used to waterproof hunting boots and moccasins.
12. Used to hold gemstones while polishing and other
jewelry making.
13. Used to keep needles sharp.
14. Used to coat forged metal to prevent rusting, in
blacksmithing.
15. Use it on leather straps.
16. Mix with olive oil to make lip balm or skin cream.
17. Used in dentistry for making crowns and bridges.
18. Used in batik for making and coloring patterns on
fabric.
19. Used to make the foundation in the beehive.
20. Used to camouflage human odor on animal traps.
21. Use it to remove pin feathers when cleaning
poultry.
22. Use it to preserve sailboat masts and rails.
23. Used in cartoon animation.
24. Used in fly-tying.
25. Used to cushion braces on teeth.
26. Used to waterproof tent seams.
27. Used to loosen rusty nuts and bolts.
28. Used to line wooden water kegs and buckets.
29. Used as flux for bullet casting.
30. Season cast iron cookware.
31. Used in bone surgery.
32. Used to waterproof gourds.
33. Used in canning.

Beeswax is a natural product of Honey Bees - a
renewable resource -
as opposed to chemical waxes like paraffin, which are
made from crude
oil.

Sniff a beeswax candle and smell the flowers of the fields.

See how easy it is to grow your own organic
food and learn how to feed your family healthier on the pages of OHG found here...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organichomesteadinggardening

Justified by His Grace

{ Posted by GrandmaRosie }
{ 2:40 AM, Wed 1 Jul 2009 } { Posted in THE WORD } { 0 comments } { Link }

Justified by His Grace

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7 KJV

__________________

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

__________________

Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:38,39 NIV

Fourth of July.....Entryway Frippery

{ Posted by Shan }
{ 08:32, Tuesday, June 30, 2009 } { Posted in Holidays and Merriment } { 3 comments } { Link }

Dearest Readers,

It is time to celebrate America's Birthday! Here at Honey Hill Farm, that means decorating our entryway......

Ribbons, vintage (and not so vintage) postcards, Holly Hobbie plates and flags all have pride of place....

A sunny and patriotic spot to welcome our guests...

Turn of the century Ladies' accoutrements wait patiently for a chance to go out and be seen...

A Liberty inspired vignette.....

The American Flag has never looked so lovely....

Every corner displays the American Spirit....

A truly delightful Fourth of July to share with family and friends...

I hope that you are enjoying this wonderful holiday, Dear Readers...

Yours so kindredly,

Shan

Summer Crafts and Gardening

{ Posted by Lizzy W. }
{ 01:37, Tuesday, June 30, 2009 } { 0 comments } { Link }

Good Afternoon All,

Well, it definitely feels like summer here in Oklahoma. The weather has been exceptionally hot (several days at around 100) and my garden is feeling it. It seems like the squash plants wilt every day around noon and thank God they snap out in the evening. I have to say, we have been so blessed with the garden this year. My dear husband is quite good in the gardening department, I must say!! A few weeks ago we harvested the potatoes and they were the best crop we have ever grown. Many of them were the size of my husbands hands!! Our onions also turned out well. Now we have put in a second planting of various squash, melons, and green beans. I am praying they do well also so that we have plenty to can. I have water bathed canned several times before; however, I think I will try to pressure can this summer.

As for summer crafts, I have been crocheting quite a bit. I have a goal to make both of my sisters and my parents an afgan for Christmas and it is going to take me until December to get them done!! LOL!! Sadly, my attention wanders at time and I find myself making wash clothes and pot holders when I should be making motifs for the afgan....LOLOL!! Oh well, I guess it will all get done in time. There is something about this time of the year that makes me want to create things, whether that is baking or crafting. The baking part is a little hard because the weather is so hot right now so I have been trying to use the bread machine. I am looking for new recipes to try, so if you have some I would love to see them. I found a recipe online for a Milk Bread that was really quite good, albeit a little dense. If anyone wants that recipe, just let me know.

Well, I guess I better get back to business. I hope you are all having a wonderful summer and God Bless!

Lizzy

Monday's Work

{ Posted by amanda }
{ 10:55, Tuesday, June 30, 2009 } { 0 comments } { Link }

Another HOT/HUMID week has gone by here in NC. One week closer to the COOL fall season. Only 12-13 weeks to go? Sounds good to me. I know I am to be thankful for the summer season, but for some reason this summer is *getting* to me, the heat/humidity that is. It is also taking a bigger toll on hubby at work. He came home yesterday totally drained from the heat/humidity. He works so hard for his family in this heat and I LOVE him for being the man/provider that he is.

Too many people have called him a workaholic. I disagree totally with that statement. No one in their right mind would want to be out in 94* heat with an index of 98*-100*. That includes my husband. He just happens to be one of the few men in our area who specializes in heavy machinery. Being that man, he is the one they come to for his speciality work. It's hard physical labor in whatever type of weather and my husband NEVER complains, just makes silly jokes about it. I am a blessed woman indeed to have found such a man.

Hubby also had his 44th birthday this past Sunday. He chose homemade lasagna for his dinner and strawberry cheesecake for the birthday cake. The kids decorated the kitchen with balloons and other decorations. They waited until he went to get his morning shower to decorate so they could surprise him. I think it did. It was a wonderful day for a wonderful husband/Father.

Monday was a busy one. Monday's are the busiest day of the week for me. I did the usual outside chores starting at 6:15. Here's what I did.

Milked Anna-Belle
Fed and watered Anna-Belle
Fed and watered the chickens
Went inside to strain the milk and chill it
Back outside to pick the remaining corn
Fed Anna-bell a special treat (corn stalk leaves-she acts like a child does when getting ice cream or candy)
Back inside to get a load of towels washed
Got a shower
Started breakfast
Ate
Gave the kitchen/living room a good cleaning
Mopped the kitchen floors
Mopped the bathroom floors
Hung out towels

All of this was done before 10 a.m. I then sat down to rest and fell asleep for about 15 minutes. It totally revived me..

I then sat down to check e-mails and catch up on some blogs. I then did the following:

Cleaned my room
Cleaned the bathroom
Started another load of clothes
Taped the vaccum plug with electrical tape (some wires were beginning to fray)
Cleaned out the cooler used for chilling milk
Went through some school books for the coming school year
Chose some books for DD and DS to read this week in honor of Independence Day

I then made lunch for the kids and I. PB sandwiches and a pop tart for snack (YUMMY!)

Cleaned and swept kitchen again (that happens 3 times a day around here)
Put a chuck roast into the crock pot for today's dinner

It was then about 1:30, so I took my afternoon *power nap*. That lasted about 15 minutes and revived me enough to get into DS's room and do some serious decluttering/cleaning. I came out with 4 bags of clothes that he has out grown in just a few months time. They ware now in the car on their way to goodwill.

It was HOT in that room. It is the one room in the house that has poor air circulation. I was dripping with sweat the whole time. I had to keep taking breaks just to cool down. But I got all of his other clothes humg up in the closet and I could actually see the bed again. When I was finished with the clothing part, I called in DS (10) to finish the rest. He did a great job. I don't have to cringe today when I walk by that room.

After all of that was done I took another break and looked through some books that I bought for the kids 3 months ago. (I found them in son's room and forgot they were there.) DS had read all of the one's I got for him though.

It was then about time to go back outside and milk Anna-Belle again. Went out and milked her and gave the animals fresh cool water. Came back inside, strained milk and chilled it and then got my 2nd shower of the day.

I then got supper reheated in mircrowave while DS (10) got his shower. We ate supper, cleaned up and got ready for VBS. That was from 6:30-9:00. DS got to make a bird house during their craft time. (He LOVES anythiong to do with birds.)

Picked him up at 9, went home and straighted up some more, then went to bed at 9:30. Wow! What a day and it was only MONDAY!

Today is a wee bit slower, hence the post.

Have a blessed day in THE LORD!

Pics from camp meeting

{ Posted by ~Melissa }
{ 9:22 AM, June 30, 2009 } { Posted in My Life } { 0 comments } { Link }

I didn't have my camera with all the time, but here are a few pics of our time at camp meeting.

This is Megan and Linda. We brought Linda with us. It was her first time to camp meeting and she really enjoyed it. The car ride is long and the girls listened to some music and watched a DVD on the way, I believe.

This is Paige sleeping in the carseat. Car rides are especially long for her.... construction took us on a couple detours that we hadn't planned for.

The girls were just talking at the memorial park at the academy. This was one of Paige's favorite places to stop (It was also just before her class, so we had to keep her focused as to where she was going).

This is another view of the same little memorial.

These three are Paige on the homemade waterslide. They have a sewn form underneath. They cover it with a heavy plastic sheet. Squirt dish soap on the plastic and run water down from the top and half way down to keep the plastic wet. The kids get to sliding down quite fast and at first Paige wasn't too sure about it, but she enjoyed it a bit more each time. Paige rode down on her tummy; she rode down backwards; she rode down with a noodle; she rode down with friends. She only quit because they got the popsicles out and it was time to go. She was chilly (they use just water from a hose), but had a big smile on her face. Here's some more fun water shots...

A view from the top... Paige is in line behind one of the teachers.

Paige's first time down... a bit stiff and unsure.

Back up again!

On her back!

with a noodle!

Landing in bubbles.

With friend Thea from our home church.

With another new friend.

Popsicle ending at the waterslide.

Paige at crafts. They made telephones that day.

Snack time... popsicles again... it was a really hot day this day! The kids and MOM's were glad for this snack!

Story time with Pastor Dave.

Paige is in upper row, still in story time. They held their classes in the music rooms so the Kindergarteners could sit on the risers. They used the new SDA readers from the new reading program. Paige really enjoyed them and wants them... now where to find them...

Activity time had various activities. The kids especially liked this one.

Last one, the kids sang in the adult auditorium one evening. Paige started out in front, but later got pushed to the back when the kids wanted to get on the microphone (which was off... the adults know better!) Paige's class had between 45 and 60 kids each day... more on Sabbath.

Sorry it was mostly all Kindergarten adventures... that's where I had my camera... I didn't bring it to the other meetings! I didn't even take a picture of our camp site... and I try to do that each year...

Warmly, ~Melissa

What to do with too much squash!

{ Posted by mountainmama }
{ 8:58 AM, Tuesday, June 30, 2009 } { Posted in Canning and Pantry } { 0 comments } { Link }

We have been blessed with an abundance of squash this year, so I have been trying to find some inventive ways of using it. I am in the middle of trying this recipe, but so far it looks beautiful with all its different colors blended together. As of right now it is in my refrigerator after sitting all night, I plan on canning it this evening. I would love to hear other ways you use your squash.

Anyway, here is the recipe.

3 lbs. yellow summer squash, finely chopped

3 lbs. zucchini, finely chopped

6 large onions, finely chopped

3 medium green peppers, finely chopped

3 medium red peppers, finely chopped

1/4 c canning salt

2 c sugar

2 c packed brown sugar

2 c white vinegar

4 tsp. celery seed

1 tsp. ground turmeric

1 tsp. ground mustard

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Drain vegetable mixture. Rinse in cold water and drain again. Place vegetables in a large pot. Add remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling reduce heat and all to simmer for 10 min. stirring frequently.

Immediately fill hot pint jars with mixture leaving 1/2 in. head space. Carefully run a nonmetallic utensil down inside jars to remove trapped air bubbles. Wipe jar tops and threads clean, then adjust two piece caps.

Process in boiling water canner for 15 min.

Applesauce Date Cake

{ Posted by GrandmaRosie }
{ 1:26 AM, Tue 30 Jun 2009 } { Posted in FROM THE KITCHEN } { 0 comments } { Link }

Applesauce Date Cake
Yield: 12 Servings
Further proof that something sweet and delicious can still have significant nutritional value. This cake keeps well and is great for snacks or with lunches.

2 c Flour
2 t Sodium Free Baking Soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t allspice
1/2 t nutmeg
1/4 t cloves
2 eggs
1 c Brown Sugar, Packed
1/2 c Unsalted Butter, Softened
2 c Applesauce
1 c Dates, Chopped
3/4 c Pecans, Coarsely Chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9X9X2" pan with non-stick vegetable oil spray.

Stir together flour, soda and spices. Add eggs, brown sugar, butter, and 1 cup applesauce. Beat at low speed just until the ingredients are combined. At medium speed, beat 2 minutes longer, occasionally scraping the side of the bowl. Add remaining applesauce, dates, and walnuts; beat 1 minute. Pour batter into pan. Bake 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan.

__._,_.___

The Seasons Change

{ Posted by CitySteader }
{ 08:26, Monday, June 29, 2009 } { 1 comments } { Link }

Well, the seasons are already changing around here. No, the leaves are not turning their autumn reds and gold. It is a changing of the season of "fortune." Earlier this summer we were thrilled with our new bee hive, and the new queen in our old hive, our sweet little chicks, the new raspberry canes, apple tree, asparagus popping up in its bed, and so on. But the seasons always change.....

A skunk got in to our chicken coop and killed three of our laying hens, and one of the baby Barred Rocks. We are down to one laying hen and are waiting on 9 pullets to start laying over the next few months.

The new queen bee layed some eggs at first, but then stopped, and the eggs she did lay just dried up.

The new hive was a swarm from one of my friends' hive. The queen seems to still be virgin and she is too old (four weeks) to mate now. That's two hives (my only two) gone in one year. I just don't know what to do with all these bees without queens. If anyone has any advise, please advise!!!

Out of the fourty asparagus plants I planted, only 14 came up and then 11 of those just turned yellow and died. That's a whole year lost on the first three years of waiting for the first harvest!

My strawberries just didn't really produce this year. I get a few each day, but nothing like I was expecting. And they are not sending off runners. I was really counting of them multiplying.

Like I said, the seasons have changed. The seasons always change....

This too shall pass.

Happy Trails and a good season to you all!

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Faith Farm

still here!

from OHG archives.........USES FOR BEESWAX

Justified by His Grace

Fourth of July.....Entryway Frippery

Summer Crafts and Gardening

Monday's Work

Pics from camp meeting

What to do with too much squash!

Applesauce Date Cake

The Seasons Change

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