THE LEANING TREE HOMESTEAD

TIRED!!!

We Went Camping

We decided to have a little family outing and went camping this past weekend, tent camping.  We all had alot of fun. The nights were cool so we all slept fairly well. The days were actuall no to bad either.  The lake we went camping at did not have a whole lot of people, so that made it nice too. We just pretty much relaxed all weekend. I enjoyed the weekendso much, but am sooooo tired.

Baking Breads

I have been contemplating living simple and what exactly it means to me for a few months now.  The way things are right now with the economy and all is making me think even harder on it.    I envy (yes I know its a sin) those who bake their own bread, make cake mixes and brownies from scratch,  and the list could go on.  I want to do all the stuff I before mentioned, but have NO IDEA where to start. 

I am a little saddened today. Its days like this that makes me miss my grandmothers. My Me-Maw died when I was in the 5th grade.  So I was to young to really "care" about cooking my own stuff.  She was the epitimy(sp?) of living simple. She kept and reused everything. She made everything from scratch.  I can remember staying at her house in the summer for weeks on end..lol. I think I practically lived there. I wish, oh how I wish,  that I had been able to glean some of the knowledge from her about cooking.  My Ma-Maw just died almost 3 years ago.  She was not around a whole lot until I was on up in my young preteen years, like aroung 11-12.  She lived over seas for a while.  But when she finally settled down back home, she only lived a bout 3 miles from us on a cattle ranch with her husband at the time, the only grandpa I ever knew.  Again, I practically lived at her house over the summer and most weekends. Yet, I still was to young to care to glean the knowledge from her. I can remember her cellar being pakced with jellies, jars and jars of stuff from the garden.  I miss my dear grandmothers.  Oh how I wish I could just sit with them for just a while longer.  As for my mom, I love her to pieces. She has some of the knowledge from my grandmothers(both).  I will try to glean some of her knowledge.

All that said, I want to bake my own breads, mix my own cake mixes, etc.  I have not idea where to start. I know this is asking alot, but could any of you please share any advice, recipes, instructions with me? I would SO GREATLY appreciate it!!!

SMILES!!!!

Have I been deceived?

Yesterday as I was milling around homesteadblogger, I came across a website called Keeping The Home (not sure who had it on their links section). After going to this website, I clicked on the link about reading only King James Version  of the bible. I looked into what she was saying, studied a little on my own.

Do I have my blinders on?? Do so many others have their blinders on??

I am not sure! This will take some more studying, praying, discussing it with other Christians whom I highly respect. I am so confused right now. I am also a little mad at myself for letting myself be deceived. If any of you have any insight on this, I would greatly appreciate it.

By the way, you can find teh website over on my links section.

SMILES!!!!

Trying to Blog

Well, I don't really get on here much to blog. I do however enjoy reading everyone else's. I glean so much info from everybody, along with the laughs and tears and prayers. I like this little "community".

I am fixing to try to revamp my blog page and venture out and figure out how to change things around and make it more like me.   I am going to try to blog at least 2 times a week starting off, but maybe I can do it everyday. That is my goal anyway.

If anyone has any suggestions or ways of changing my page let me know. I am really illiterate when it comes to adding the cutsie stuff along with  links, pictures, etc. It may be a slow go, but hopefull I will figure it out.

The BEST Mothers Day present ever!!!!!!!

Hi all!!! Today was a wonderful Mothers Day for me. First, I got woke up by 2 wonderful children. Jessica bought me a necklace that says mom in a circle and Jarrett had bought me a ring from Mardel,a christian book store, that I have been wanting, it says He loves me! around it .  Then, we got up and went to church, but it is what happened in church that was wonderful. My baby girl went down front and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior!!!! Praise God!!!!!

After church, we went to the OKC Zoo and hung out there all day. It was free for me. It was a pleasant day over all.

God is good!!!!!!

I hope everyone had a blessed Mothers Day!!!!

PROVERBS 31 CHALLENGE

Managing the Home:  I have already went through and decluttered everything, but will need to establish a routine to keep it purged, like  outgrown clothes are thrown in a box in the bottom of each closet, etc.

Managing the Kitchen: Start cooking from scratch more often. For example, I have never baked bread or homemade biscuits or my won cake. I do believe its tiem to start.

Managing the Cleaning: I have a cleaning routine  that I stick to pretty tightly. But, the thing that bothers me is how much I spend on cleaning products, therefor and going to start making my own.

Managing the Outdoors: We already have plans to repaint the house and build a front porch(we are using concrete blocks for now) and bring some dirt in to fill some holes that hold water which in return is a festation for mosquitos.

Managing our School:Oh, my!! I really could use alot here. I am waaayyy to lax on this. I have set down and written out  a set routine that we will begin on thursday since wed. is our co-op day.  This is really our first year of homeschooling so I am still trying to get the hang of it.

For the Family:  we need a family night where we just go for a walk, or play a board game, etc.

For the Marriage: God has shown me in the past few days that I am not allowing my hubby to be the head of the household like he should be. I am resisting that. (I know htere is a word for it that the bible uses, but cannot think of it right now.) I will work on keeping my mouth shut and let hubby lead our family like he is meant to do.

For My God and Faith: NO MORE TV!! More time in my bible and more time teaching my kids the bible.  We already do some, but I think they need more.

For my Friend's/Hospitality: I will have a friend over for lunch next week, probably tuesday.

For Myself: 30 minutes of rading a book of my own and not something the kids need for school.

Days Gone By

Well its been a while since I have posted anything.  I made a commitment to try to stray away from the computer for a while, seeing that I was spending waaaaayyyyyy to much time on it.  I have gotten myself in a pretty good routine now that I think I can incorporate it into my new routine.  God has been good in showing me my faults here lately, the first one being the comouter. I think I will take the Proverbs 31 challenge that GypsyFarmGirl challenged.

Just some updates on us.

We now have chickens, a pig and soon will be getting 2 milking goats come the first of June. We also have a great garden started. Hubby has been working hard on it, along with the children's help. How they love to garden with him!! We would like to fence some of our land for raising a cow for butcher.  That will be on down the road, but atleast we have a start.

God Bless to all!!!

100 AWSOME YEARS-a little history lesson

OKLAHOMA RISING!!!!!!

Today is my home state's centinial birthday. How ecxiting!!!! Something like this is a once in lifetime thing and I am getting to experience it with my children!!!! We were not able to go to the celebration in Guthrie (our first state capital, which is now Oklahoma City) since we are down to one car for now. BUT...........we are watching it on tv. It is a kind of emotional thing, considering I was raised here and how proud our state is!!!  To top is off, I found out today that I may be kin to the territorial governor's personal secretary(DR. Hughes Scott) who as soon as the telegram from Pres. Rosevelt came, Dr. Scott made the shot that gun shot announcing that Oklahoma was a declared a state. Well, just thought I would share!!

Just a Hodge Podge

Hi all! Its been a few days since I have been on. Usually, I check things out daily. 

Tonight was a good night. DH carved pumpkins with the kids tonight. Then we took pics of them. I would post them, but have no idea how. I roasted the seeds and they turned out well. My kids loved them. It was the first time we have ever actually roasted the seeds.

Yesterday I found out that I should not have anymore babies.  Back at the first of September I was hospitlaized and diagnosed with DVT(Deep Vein Thrombosis) in my left leg, which basically means I had several blood clots. I have been on blood thinners since then. What they think caused my blood clot is the birth control. I had an IUD in and my OBGYN Dr.  removed yesterday for me. He then told me that if I was to get pregnant again, that it would be VERY risky for me, but not so much for the baby. If I were to get pregnant then I would have to be put on a heprin pump to keep me from having a blood clot form in my leg or anywhere else.  At first I was very upset about this news and have always wanted a big family. But, I  am VERY blessed with 2 wonderful children. I could not have even been able to have them. And on the brighter side of this, John and I have always talked about adopting, so maybe this is God's way of answering our question of that subject. 

I know some of this may be to much info, but I had to get it off my chest.

WHINE WHINE WHINE

Well, as I sat down here to type, I was not completely sure what I was going to say, but THEN........my son came in the room. He is 3 year old and all he does is whine lately, for like the last month. I cannot figure out why. Our schedule has not changed any, he doesn't appear to be sick. Anyone ever go through this? Whining is not taken well in our house.

Toaday is going to be a busy day. I have to go run a couple of errands, then we are going to a birthday party and then one of DD's friends is coming to stay all night. So I gotta go get everyone ready to go.

SMILES!!

What was I thinking????

Yesterday was such a good day. I was so happy that fall was here. Now, not so happy. I seemed to have forgotten what fall does to my sinuses. Today, my head feels like it is the size of Texas, I cannot breath , and my voice sounds like a mans voice.........lol. 

Other than that, today is good. I am fixing to go and pop a movie in and watch it with my kiddos. 

SMILES!!!

GROWTH HORMONES AND CHEMICAL IN OUR FOODS

I looked this up on snopes. As for the story beintg true on snopes...I do not know, but while the milk coming from rBST-treated cows is true, they "SAY" that it is safe for humans. Well, I for one do not believe it. I mean our little girls are maturing puberty wise way younger than they used to. Can we say umm growth hormomes!!! Look at all the diseases, cancers, etc. that we are having righ tnow!! There are to many chemicals in our foods. We are killing ourselves. Hello, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that our FDA isn't what its all cracked up to be. I mean look at the recalls we are having right now!!!!
 
Stepping down off my soap box now...you may read on........lol  =)

http://www.snopes.com:80/medical/potables/walmart.asp

HAPPY FALL YA'LL

Happy FALL!!!

I love fall. The crisp chill in the morning when you wake up. The crisp chill in the air in the evenings as the sun starts going down. Its a beautiful creation. Thank you God!!!  I live in Oklahoma so right now is the really first of our fall. We have been having warmer weather up until now. I guess that is all for now, but maybe I can come back and blog some more later in the day.

SMILES!!!

MIA-Stressed-Down in the Dumps

MIA~

Wow!! Its been along time since I have had time to get on here!! I am back though. Jessica has been playing softball and this thursday is the last of it and she says she doesn't want to play next spring either. Which that means we can get into the slower paced lifestyle that I am yearning for.

STRESSED~DOWN IN THE DUMPS

Things are tough right now. Money is *VERY* tight. I was in the hospital back at the beginning of Sept. and now we are dealing with alot of Dr bills.  I think that totally explains why I am stressed.  I am trying very hard not to worry about it though. Amazingly enough, this mornings devotional and verse for today went right along with my feelings.

"You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You." Isaiah 26:3

I am trying very hard to remember this verse througout the day today.  I want nothing more than for me and my family  to depend on GOD.

DREAMING A DREAM BY MYSELF

Do you ever feel like you are dreaming by yourself? When DH and I got married he was set that we were living in the countyr. Against my wishe, I submissed and we live in the country on 7 acres.  Now that we are here in the country, I am wonderfully blessed. 

The only problem is, my living in the country and DH's living in the country is different. He just wants to live in the country. ME? I want the garden and chickens and rabbits...you know the whole shebang!! Granted we did have a garden, sort of.  It consisted of okra and zuccini and squash and like 2 tomatoe plants. 

I feel like I am dreaming by myself. My dream of "living in the country" is so different to my wonderful husband's idea. 

So for now I will have to be happy with what God has given us.

HAVING TROUBLE SEEING!! OPEN MY EYES LORD!!

GOOD MORNING!! What I am about to write is by no means meant to offend anyone.  Its just little ol' me trying to find my place in this world. 

  This morning I got up and was doing my daily quiet time.  I use each morning a little devotional book from my church that is distributed monthly called Journey, a 1 year reading bible, and then I read out of my Bible. I am currently reading out of 1 Corinthians to which I have been doing.

Let me give some background. I stumbled across a book about the Amish.  In reading it, I became intrigued in their lifestyle. They live as simple as possible.  It seems to me(and anyone correct  me if I am wrong) that they take the bible quiet literall.  Which to me is a witness in itself. Anyway, I started studying the Amish.   Having been intrigued so much by the Amish, I cannot figure out why.  I will admit, I am a bit envious (yet a sin, please forgive me Lord))of their lifestyle and beliefs.  But I tell you, after becoming accustomed to the lifestyle I have.......wow............what a change!!!

THEN GOD DID WHAT HE DOES!!!

This mornings topic in the Journey devotional was "Aging Gracefully". It talked about how society is so wrapped up in youth and beauty(looks).   God wants us to care for our bodies as He tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Do you not know that your body is the sanctuary  of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?"  Romans 12:1 " Therefore, brothers by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God;this is your spiritual worship.

He does not want us to be obsessed with our bodies as the society is so teaching us and OUR CHILDREN to do.  Romans 12:2-3 " Do not be conformed to this age,  be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, pleasing, and the perfect will of God. 3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

So with all that, what am I trying to say?  I love how God can put together 3 different devotions and say the same thing.  But!! Yet, I am still having trouble seeing or understanding what He is saying to me.

TIRED!!!

Figuring out a Pantry

HELPING OTHERS

Yesterday, I met thh sweetest man. He is probably in his 70s or so. His land that he has cattle on is just across the way from our.  Well, last night about 7 ish, my dogs were going hey wire!! I look out and to my dismay there are about 12 head of cattle in my front yard.  So I hunt down this mans number and call him.  It was him and his grandson that looked like he was about 13 ish and then his grandaughter who looked about 11ish. I ended up helping them get the cows back in.  An easy task, it was not!! LOL  We had to first find a place where they could cross the creek. Everytime we tried it was either to steep of a drop or the water was to deep.  So finally we find a place and here I am wading across the creek trying to herd these cattle across.  Then it was another 30 minutes or more before we could find where they got out at. So in all it took us about 2 hours to get them back in the fence.  Come to find out, he used to preach at a methodist church in my hometown. I thought that was neat.  So he thanked me and brought me back home so I did not have to walk by myself across the creek again. It is strange how in short time of knowing someone that you learn to care about a person. He was so kind and he acted like he was barely getting around. So, in short, I will help this man out anytime he needs it.