Homestead Haven Beginnings

Yes, another entry! :)

Each evening, we take a ride up top to check on our cows. Last night, we were rewarded with seeing a new bull calf! Had we been there 10 minutes sooner, we could have watched him being born.

What an amazing thing birth is. I am in awe of it. Animal births are so different than human births. We treat animal births as a natural event, and very few need any help or intervention. Human birth, on the other hand, is treated as some sort of illness that simply must be treated and have intervention. Whether the intervention is to "move things along with pitocin", or to "monitor to be sure all is well" or to "take the baby". God designed the female body to reproduce. I think we'd do well to let His design do the work, not the medical community.

I digress...sorry...birth is such an incredible event...I hate to see women give that time of their life over to the medical community. God is doing so much more than just bringing a new life into the world...though that's awesome in and of itself....He can use that time to grow you as a person. As a couple. As a child. As a parent. But, if you're all doped up, can't feel the labor pain, and can't move....you kind of remove Him from the situation, don't you?

Okay, okay....moving on.....

We're going to a cookout tomorrow for the 4th. Thomas wanted fireworks, so we may have to have our own private show another day. Wish our town put on a fireworks show. I remember living in NY, there was always a big show to go see. Even in FL, there were fireworks on the beach.

Honey starts a new schedule soon. He'll be working on the inventory prep crew. Instead of his normal 5am to 2pm shift, he'll work 2pm to 11pm. We all see this is a really good thing for the summer. It's light out so late that it makes getting to bed on time difficult. And it's too warm to sleep comfortably...course, in the morning, it's quite cool and pleasant, so sleeping in is really easy to do. (ask me how I know this to be true?!)

Mom's night out is next week. I didn't go last month, so I'm really looking forward to going this month. It's always a good time with fun friends. Sure, some seem to have their own agendas......and that I surely don't understand....but I do like my time out with friends.

Mary has a couple of loose teeth. So does Natalie. They just keep growing up....

Rebecca is going on a trip with my family later this year. My folks, Aunt Nina, brother and his family and cousin and his family are going to Cozumel, Mexico over Thanksgiving. Aunt Nina invited Rebecca since my niece will be there too. She's footing the entire bill, from her passport to her flight to her time there. How incredibly generous of her!!!! Rebecca is quite excited about this opportunity...and I am too....though I know I will miss her terribly.

Natalie and Mary have decided we need to do something special while Rebecca is away. They've tossed out some wild ideas....we shall see what the future holds...

Honey is stopping at the sawmill on his way home today to get the rest of our lumber for the corral. This needs to be finished up for so many reasons....one of which being just to cross off a HUGE to do on the never-ending list. What a blessing it will be to have this finished!!!

I need to get my July menu finished up so we can do our big monthly grocery shopping tomorrow. The cupboards are looking a bit bare. The pantry needs re-stocking. I will have a most happy family to have cheese in the house again. We ran out of all but mozzarella earlier this week....and I've heard many a comment about this tragedy.

I'm off to work on said menu.....Happy Fourth of July!!!

Happy 4th

I would like to wish you all a happy 4th and for those that will have bbq and have family and friends over have a great day of fellowship.

And for those that will be home have a happy day...

Have a happy weekend for those on the road drive careful.. There are a lot of folks on the road this weekend..

Have a weekend everyone..

My plans I'm having my brother and family and my parents? we are having a bbq with lots of outside games with prizes.It will be a good day  with fellowship..

Blessings Sister Brenda

Up date on Thecfarm ~

Good morning from another rainy day in Maine the start of July isn't so good.. Just about he whole month of June it rained. Farmers are having a hard time with crops . The fields are filled with water tractors can't get on its a mess. We have such a short growing season too begin with. The hay crop some don't even have first crop in yet do to rain.

Here at the farm My garden not doing so good have replanted cucumbers again. Also have pumpkins -squash-cukes started over in the greenhouse.. I have to grow them enough so the rain and beetles do destroy them.

Ray has put new fencing up for the goats Mike and Blarney are doing just fine. Mike just got banded a few days ago he is doing fine. And Blarney lost his band a few days ago and he is doing great.

Ive been keeping myself busy trying to mow and garden and yard work between rain .. I've also doing some craft work.

Today I have a busy day we are having my brother and family and maybe my parents over for a bbq tomorrow. I have baking and cleaning  to do. I have my first load of laundry in the washer and the dishwasher is humming away.

I would like to wish every one a Happy 4th and drive safely if your on the road and enjoy the week with family and friends all that fellowship is good..

Blessings Sister Brenda

July? Already??

Is it just me or is this year flying by with lightning speed??

We're having a fun, busy summer. We've really enjoyed spending time with friends, gardening, going to the creek, reading, and just generally enjoying our time together.

I'm realizing how short my time with Rebecca is getting to be. Not that I expect her to go anywhere right after graduation, but she's going to be in 11th grade this coming year....who knows what the Lord has in store for her. I want to soak up every minute with her...and her siblings, of course.

Rebecca and Mary were discussing how old each of them would be in "so many years". When Mary turns 16, Rebecca will be 26. If she's anything like me, Rebecca will have a couple of children by that time. Strange to think about it that way....

If she did follow me...Rebecca would be married in 5 short years..and a Mama in 7. Doesn't seem that far away....

Okay...I'm going to get all teary-eyed if I keep on...so I'll stop and just love the time NOW.

Rebecca and I taught Natalie and Mary how to play Dutch Blitz. We have two more girls who love to play this game! Mary is the Uno girl..but she likes the Dutch Blitz too! What fun we have playing. We should get another deck of cards, since there's only cards enough for 4 players....

We're all getting nice tans. I'm loving this weather. Could be cooler for my taste, but I'll take it. It's not overwhelmingly hot as it has been the last few years. The a/c isn't running non-stop. It's not unbearable outside. Most days, we've had a nice breeze which makes such a difference. It's warm enough to make me want to swim, yet not so warm that makes me want to stay indoors. I'm quite thankful for this weather!!!!

Honey is going to the dentist next week. He's lost one of his crowns for the 3rd time. The dentist told him if it comes off again, there was nothing he could do to put it back on. It started out with one pin holding it in place...he now has 3 pins...and it still comes off. So, he's going in so the dentist can remove the pins....one less tooth for my beloved. I feel badly for him. I so wish someone had taught him...and emphasised to him...the importance of taking care of your teeth.

We've done some organizing and re-arranging...with more to be done. I have a pile here in the office....quite the pile...of things to sell. I'm not sure I want to deal with the hassle of eBaying them...but then....I've done two book sales and am left with this pile. The pile was MUCH larger before the sales, so I've done pretty well at downsizing it...but I want it GONE altogether!

Guess that job won't do itself.....I should spend some computer time taking care of such things....

anxious heart...July 2, 2009

Tomorrow (Friday) at 1045am, we'll be going to the high risk OB for a checkup, to deal with the diabetes numbers as well as maybe fit in an ultrasound to date the baby. 

We could really use your continued prayers.  We're praying our little one is developing on target and HCG numbers are continuing to double.  I pray daily with thanksgiving for our little miracle and ask the Lord to strengthen my womb as the baby's home for 8 months and help give me an environment with less tension.

God is good and I know He created this miracle.  Seeing other women who have PCOS as I do and hearing their excitement tailed with skepticism is making me slightly anxious though.  I have had to take several steps back from mothering sites with women who deal with PCOS as I do.  I just find it hard to keep faith in Gods plan and not look to the "what if's". 

I'm early and sometimes I have wondered why I'm not feeling this way or that way.  But in the end, I know God is creating and developing this little miracle and I cannot RUSH Him, nor should I question or control His outcome.  I have gathered over the years that HE knows best and loves me SO much.  This waiting stuff has me out of my comfort zone.  I cannot control my surroundings, nor any outcome.  Isn't it just like God to say, "hey!  I created YOU, I know what I'm doing and you need to get your hands out of the control box and let ME do what I DO". 

I can hear His gentle voice reassuring me that all is well and think of how much I REALLY love my Heavenly Father.

At a time when everything is up in the air, HE is the only thing that is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  I can ALWAYS count on Him and HE gives me peace in my spirit.

Even as I type this, I see my Title and think, what have I got to be anxious for?  God says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; -Philippians 4:6

Thanks for listening as I share my heart with you today.  I look forward to tomorrow with hopes that we will see our little one in the ultrasound and hear his or her heartbeat for the first time.  Oh Lord, Hear my prayer.....please grant me this desire to hear my babys heartbeat and for us both to see that he or she is doing well under YOUR great hands as The Great Physician.  Thank you for this gift Lord and thank you for the greatest gift of Salvation.  I pray our child/ren will grow up seeking YOU and be Godly young men and women.  To YOU be the Glory Father.  Praise be to God.  Amen!

Goats.. HELP PLEASE

When Ike was so sick with pneumonia I brought him and Mike in the basement we put down carpet and hay and clean it twice a day it didn't smell bad..But now it smells terrible.. The floor is concrete and there was some boards where we fenced them in..

I have bleached with a bush and I've also used pine sol and it still smells..Today I've opened up the windows.. I have put baking soda down on the floor and left it now for many days..

We have had rain for many days and its damp.. could that bring the smell out??? I'm lost..

Help I don't know what to do..

Thanks Blessings Sister Brenda

Leaving tomorrow for vacation

We are leaving tomorrow to go to Ohio with a stop in horse country.  My in-laws live in Northern Ohio so we go to see them only twice a year (Thanksgiving week and 4th of July week).  We leave tomorrow morning and will stop in Lexington where my sister and her family are meeting us.  The kids love to stay in a hotel so they are anticipating that!  Then Saturday morning we will head up to Buckeye state.  I hope to have pictures and details of our travels after we return on the 11th.  Y'all take care! 

Happy Independence Day!!!!

***If you are on Facebook, feel free to join me on my travels because I have it loaded onto my phone.  If you're not my friend on there let me know and I'll add you.  You can find me under Farrah Cook Ginter.

A Morning Walk

Dogs and Burgers Cupcakes info ~ recipe and picture

now this has to be the cutest cupcake I've ever seen with so much detail.. I wish I didn't have dial up..

If anyone makes these please let me know and post a picture.

No BBQ is complete without hot dogs and burgers. No grilling necessary!


Watch a step-by-step video demonstration of this recipe.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	Hamburger Cupcakes
	2 vanilla wafer cookies
	1 Keebler Grasshopper cookie
	Yellow and red icing in tubes
	Green tinted coconut
	Slices of green gumdrop (optional)
	Orange juice or lemonade concentrate
	Sesame seeds
	1 baked cupcake
	White icing
	Multicolored nonpareils
	Hot Dog Cupcakes
	1 circus peanut
	1 caramel square
	Yellow icing in a tube
	Green tinted coconut
	Cut-up green gumdrop (optional)
	Orange juice or lemonade concentrate
	1 baked cupcake
	White icing

1. For Hamburger: To build the hamburger, start with an upside-down vanilla wafer. Add a dab of icing to attach the Grasshopper cookie, then a squirt of yellow icing, a squirt of red icing, a sprinkle of tinted coconut, and 2 thin slices of a green gumdrop for pickles (optional).

2. Top with the second vanilla wafer cookie, right side up (glue on with icing if needed). Rub the top "bun" with juice concentrate, then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Frost the cupcake with white icing, place the "burger" on top, and sprinkle on nonpareils.

3. For Hotdog: For the bun, cut a wedge in the circus peanut. If the caramel is soft, roll it into a hot dog shape. If it's hard, first soften it in your hand or in a microwave for a few seconds.

4. Caution: the caramel can get hot! Place the "hot dog" in the bun and squirt on a squiggly line of yellow icing.

5. Garnish with green gumdrop "relish," if you wish. Frost the cupcake with white icing, place the hot dog on top, and sprinkle on nonpareils.

Red, White, and Blue Delight ~ recipe and picture

Now this looks really good and very simple to make..

Packed with kid appeal, this culinary nod to Old Glory, from cookbook author and FamilyFun contributor Ken Haedrich, is made by layering strawberry sorbet and vanilla and blueberry-flavored ice cream in a loaf pan, chilling each layer until it's firm. Served with homemade blueberry sauce and fresh fruit, it's a sweet, summery ending to any Independence Day meal.

Got the link here:

Blessings Sister Brenda

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=52181&CMP=NLC-NL_Wkdr_0701_red_white_and_blue_delight

INGREDIENTS:
	For the blueberry sauce:
	1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed
	1 tablespoon water
	1/2 cup sugar
	1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
	1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch For the dessert:
	1 pint strawberry sorbet
	1 container (1 1/2 quarts) vanilla ice cream
	Fresh blueberries and strawberries for garnish

1. Combine the blueberries and the water in a medium-size saucepan. Partially cover the pan, then bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Continue simmering the berries until they begin to break down, about 2 minutes. Stir in the sugar and cook the berries until they become soft, about 1 to 2 minutes more.

2. Stir together the lemon juice and cornstarch in a small bowl until evenly blended. Stir the mixture into the berries, then cook them at a low boil, stirring constantly, for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and transfer it to a medium-size bowl. When the sauce is cooled, cover it and place it in the refrigerator to chill.

3. Line a 9- by 5-inch metal loaf pan with two sheets of crisscrossed plastic wrap, leaving a 3-inch overhang on all sides, then chill the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes.

4. Place the container of sorbet in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to soften, then spoon the sorbet into the pan and mold it, using a sheet of plastic wrap to smooth the top as needed. Cover it with foil and freeze it for 2 hours. The last 30 minutes, soften the vanilla ice cream in the refrigerator. Remove the pan from the freezer, add half the vanilla ice cream, mold it, cover it with foil, and freeze it and the remaining ice cream for 30 minutes. For the third layer, mix the remaining ice cream with 3/4 cup of the blueberry sauce, and add it to the pan. Freeze the dessert for one more hour.

5. Chill a platter in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Right before serving, thin the remaining blueberry sauce with a spoonful of water or orange juice. Invert the dessert onto the platter, unwrap it, and garnish it with fresh berries. Use a sharp knife to slice the dessert, and serve it with the sauce. Serves 10.

Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 slice, 10 servings per recipe, with 2 tablespoons of blueberry sauce):
Calories 277
Total Fat 10 g (15% DV)
Saturated Fat 5 g (27% DV)
Cholesterol 54 mg (18% DV)
Sodium 58 mg (2% DV)
Total Carbohydrate 46 g (15% DV)
Fiber 0.9 g (4% DV)
Sugars 43 g
Protein 4 g (8% DV)

(Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.)