• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - A busy season
This is such a busy season. Not only because it's Christmas soon but also because of the intense season of life I am in right now. It's very interesting and I am never bored but get sooooooooo tired and often "sick and tired". However I do not want to dwell on feeling "sick and tired"!!!!! I can waste so much time wishing to make things slow down or different but I just know it isn't going to for a while. About 5 years or so before I can say it's going to be a tad easier. But you know what? Instead of wasting those 5 years or whatever number of years dwelling on how insanely busy life is and stressing out about how complicated it is to run this home I am going to just embrace this time. Let this be my public announcement to that end!! I WILL enjoy my life. I WILL enjoy my children just the way they are and I WILL enjoy my hubby too!! The purpose to my life isn't that I can do everything perfectly. I do not want to beat myself up about not having my life just so.....................
And in the meantime I am simplifying!!!!!!! Christmas is one area that can be totally overwhelming. I am buying the kids one gift each and we picked names so each of them will buy for one person in the family. The older kids use their own money for this and for the younger ones I pay. This way they get 2 nice gifts each from our immediate family. Today I took my 3 and 6 year olds to pick out the gift for their sibling that they are supposed to buy for. Then when we got home I helped them wrap the gifts. Then they got to find a spot to hide the gift until it's time to put it under the tree. It was such a nice time to just take some time to do that and not doing it last minute before Christmas! Hubby said I can go shopping tonight without the kids so I'll for sure buy a few presents then as well. I bought some frozen tart shells and will just fill them with something simple. Grandma will bring lots of baking anyways.
I'm just so happy that I can just chill out and give up my expectations on life and just go from there, thankful for the many blessings that are in front of my nose but would otherwise have missed!! Complaining robs you of joy and I've done pleanty of that even if unspoken!!! God has chosen to ENTRUST me with extra busy children. It's not that God has cursed me with BAD children. It's that He has ENTRUSTED me with these children knowing that he will also supply my every need to raise them and point them to Him. So many times I just marvel at how busy they are and wonder why me??? Just the other night it just came to me. I've been ENTRUSTED with a precious treasure. 9x!! How lucky am I??? That kind of thinking sure puts a different spin on things. I will pour myself into blessing these children instead of thinking of myself. There is a crushing in the inner man that takes place. God knew exactly what he was doing for I would otherwise most likely remain the same selfish person I always was !!
Have a wonderful Tuesday! |
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• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - A sanctuary from the world
" The family meal table is a sanctuary. It is a secret place from the daily word of strife. On of the Hebrew words for "secret" is sod which comes from the word "yasad". It means to "sit down together , a talk session, an intimate friendly convesation or a serious consultation, a company of persons in close secret talks. " Families can enjoy this special time together at each evening meal.
Psalm 23:5 " You prepare a table before me in the presense of mine enemies."
Mothers we can prepare a table that is a sanctuary from the filthiness of the world. Our husband and grown children may spend their day out in the work place. More often than not they are surrounded by filthy talk, jesting, immodesty an humanistic reasoning. If they come home and turn on the TV, this conatimination of the world will only sink deeper into their spirits. But if they arrive home to a waiting table -- a table that welcomes them with good food, love, and fellowship, the filth of the day washes away. As you communicate and talk about the things of the Lord, their souls and spirits are washed clean. " ~ Nancy Campbell, The Family Meal Table & Hospitatlity Study guide, pg. 20
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I was blessed to grow up in a home where the family gathered each day for dinner together. It was not just a " Sunday meal" that we enjoyed once a week, but each night we would set the table and sit around as a family and share our day. I remember when I got old enough to have friends and eat at the homes of other families, I took notice that many did not eat together as a family. Kids grabbed something on their own, or families would sit in front of the TV. I didn't appreciate the family meal table when I was a child in my family home, but now years later I look back upon that time as a treasured time in my life.
In talking to my 88 yr old father about the meal table he shared that he felt very strongly that it was so important for mother & father to sit down with the children and share a meal each day. He told me that is where values are passed down and where parents can get a feel for what their children are thinking and feeling. I am grateful to my parents who in wisdom, chose to follow the "old paths" and held family dinner each day of the week.
Today, statistics show that families eat only a few days a week together.
What has happened to the family meal table?
I am currently leading a study of Nancy's book on the Family Meal table and I have been blessed to read her thoughts on this special time of day.
I have chosen to follow the tradition my parents gave me and we do eat together each night. I too agree with Nancy and my dad that it is a wonderful time . It is a sanctuary for us! It is a time to share our hearts and thoughts, and to put aside the world.
I do hope many of you are blessed with special moments around the meal table.
~ gloria ~
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• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures
Nothing special about the pictures...just things around the homestead lately :o) Enjoy!
Some of the property over the weekend. This is the back clearing where we want to build. If we don't build here, I want to put our schoolhouse up back here anyway (just to the right of that center pine tree...that's where the trail heads back to the pond.
The next is the logging road they used a few years back to get to the neighbors property...and where they come up with the 4-wheelers. The bottom of that range there is the end of our property.
Next two are of the pond, coming in from that logging road, through the trees. It's just seasonal and lately, that has meant no real water to speak of. The first year it had maybe 2 foot of water. This year, maybe the same. The 2 years in the middle, it was just about bone dry and useless with the drought. We'd like to dig it out more and shore it up to try to keep water in it. We know there's a decent aquifer running through this part of the mountain, down about 150 here at the house end of the property. Would be nice to have some water for the animals if nothing else.
 
Thanksgiving weekend work on the homestead...Finally getting the holes dug out for the posts for the back porch area. Most likely, it will never make it as a porch and will be enclosed for living space...maybe that outdoor kitchen ;o) I tried to get the holes started but it's all clay...and really thick nasty stuff at that. I just can't do it. I'm a wimp. I admit it. So, as Drew was over for dinner, we put him to work with Dewey :o)
The goofy pup there is the beagles basset mutt mix we have...brains of a stuffed animal, but lovable. He chases rabbits and such all night. Pinned a coyote down in the timber last year so we could shoot it. He's a good dog...just goofy. Notice Miss Abigail's bare feet...this was the day after Thanksgiving. Sure wouldn't be out running the countryside like that back North this time of year!
Thanksgiving fixins' on the homestead...We spent all day Wednesday baking...2 pecan pies, 2 apple, 2 chocolate (that's the empty crust with the tin foil in it) and 2 9x13 pumpkin cobblers. And the yummiest yeast rolls :o) It's a mix we do up and keep in the pantry --delicious. And, yes, I'll add the recipe soon!
The full menu ended up looking like this...deep-fried turkey, a huge (h-u-g-e) smoked ham from the butcher (stupid me didn't ask about size, just got the one that looked so good...it didn't fit inside the 18qt Nesco roaster we have...had to sit cockeyed until it cooked down some and slide into the pan the right way!). Dressing, green bean casserole, baked corn, potatoes/gravy, sweet potatoes, then the list of desserts. We made honey nut crunch and ranch/dill crackers for snacking all weekend.
This was the first year our eldest wasn't at the table. He rode up with Dewey to pick up Hope's car and drive it back. He wanted it to be their first Thanksgiving, and he was frying his first turkey solo...
The 20 quart mixer...yes, that's a make-do kitchen sink set up there. We pulled out the cupboard a while back. I have a very nice, new countertop sitting out in the building, but until I know for sure what we are doing (building or simply remodelling) I don't want to use it yet ;o) And, yes, those are cinder blocks under the mixer -- it sits too low to the floor for comfortable use. I know it looks rather hillbilly-ish, but it works ;o)
 
The meat, part 1/Day 1...still partially frozen, even after 2 days of thawing in the cooler bag. Guess that cooler bag works far better than I thought it did! We cut up most of the chunks to more suitable pieces and readied them for the canning jars.
 
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• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - Projects for Today:
Posted By Gabbie
I am not goign to be super busy today, but I do have a few projects in the sewing room I need to get going on!!!
1. Tidy up the house
2. Unload clean dishes and put away
3. Put clean clothing away
4. Put supper in the crockpot (bbq pork for sandwiches tonight)
5.
Sewing:
1. cut and sew a crayon roll (to be hung on the wall even) for a swap
2. Cut fabric and start sewing new apron (for another swap)
3. Get all packages ready to be shipped tomorrow |
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• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - Give To God What Is His
• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - Changing Tastebuds or Forgetfulness??
Posted By Gabbie
Since we had our late Thanksgiving dinner with hubby's family on Sunday, last night we had leftovers. YUMMY and EASY, too! LOL So, since most of the family was supposed to go to different celebrations on Thanksgiving Day with traditional foods, I switched our dinner up a little and we had pork loin and potatoes and carrots in the crockpot instead of turkey. Now, I ahve fixed this before at home, several times in fact because I love it, but hubby has kinda wrinkled his nose at it before. So, for him, I fixedd a large batch of sweet and sour meatballs for Thanksginving Day.
Last night, we had leftovers and I told hubby I would fix him a dish to take to work if he wanted, and of course he excitedly said yeah!!! So I asked him what all he wanted me to put in his dish and he said, oh I would be great with just the pork loin and all those yummy vegetables. I said huh?? He said I really enjoyed them, can we do that again??? LOL Inside my head I am thinking, who are you and what did you do to my husband? LOL I said well hunny, we have plenty of pork loins in the freezer from the hog we had processed a while ago, but usually you wrinkle your nose at that dinner and barely eat it, so I stopped making it for a while. He said oh, well I liked it this time, maybe my taste buds are changing and then he laughs. I said, yeah, maybe you forgot you liked it??? Whatever! LOL
He is so silly sometimes! So today in his lunch, he is having pork loin with potatoes and carrots, some sweet and sour meatballs and some homemade hotrolls I snuck in for a suprise! LOL It is probably enough food ofr at least 2 days (I love the LARGE Tupperware dish we have for hubby to take leftovers in), so he will be well fed for a while! LOL
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• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - Menu for the Week:
Posted By Gabbie
Ok, so I am a day late. LMSO Oh well. I was much too busy to even think about this yesterday. Since we had our late Thnksgiving dinner at our house with hubby's family on Sunday, we simply ate left overs last night.
Monday: Thanksgiving leftovers
Tuesday: BBQ Pork Sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, pie (all of these are leftovers as well...the pork loin we had Sunday is being turned into BBQ pork for the sandwiches)
Wednesday: Kielbasa, fried potatoes and onions, green beans with bacon (hubby request)
Thursday: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Friday: Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza, Brownies and Icecream
Saturday: Beef Roast and Vegetables (crock pot)
Sunday: Planned Leftovers
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• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - To my "anonymous" reader
Dear "anonymous" reader who left a comment on my blog about women & working out of the home......
I want to thank you for taking time to read my blog and I also wanted to let you know I left a comment in response to your comment..... please take a moment and read.
Friends, this is my personal blog.... I share here what is on my heart..... I realize not everyone is going to agree with what I share here...... that is certainly a freedom we have in this wonderful country of ours....but I do ask friends that you leave your name when you post...... I am not sure why folks post "anonymous" comments...... what not share your name? It's ironic to me that when people leave unkind comments or comments that disagree with the writer's opinions they do not have the courage to share "who" they are... why is that so?
In any case, I wanted my anonymous reader to please take a moment and read my response to their comment. For those of you who wish to read my reply left in response to a comment left in regards to my post titled: The Old Fashioned Parlor.
May God bles you & keep you,
gloria |
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• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - Oh Joy!
Today I had a conversation with a friend who is not a Christian ~ this friend has tried on various occasions to persuade me to accept the teachings of their church ~~ this person knows me well and paid me the most precious and lovely compliment a believer of the Lord Jesus could ever be told...... it has made my heart sing for Joy an I just needed to share it here with you all because so many of you love my Jesus as much as I do and will understand!!
This person told me that " born again Christians like me and another Christian they know were content with Jesus and not looking for any thing else" ....... oh dear reader -- can I just tell you how my heart lept for JOY when this friend shared this with me????
Oh that I would always be content with my Jesus..... oh that I would always have such closeness to Him that I would never feel the need for "religion" or "other teachings" outside of what He has given us in His word...... oh, how that made my heart sing!
One of my favorite songs is Shout to the Lord by Hillspring ........
My Jesus, My Savior,..... Lord there is none like you...... all of my days, I want to praise.... the wonders of your mighty hand....
My Jesus, My comfort.... tower of refuge and strength....let every breathe, all that I am.. never cease to worship YOU.......
Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing... power and majesty praise to the King......
The mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of YOUR name ....
I sing for joy at the work of your hands, forever I'll love you forever I'll stand....
nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU.........
Praising Him!
Gloria
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• Monday, December 1, 2008 - Laundry helper
My adorable laundry helper! She is a CLIMBER!!! Sje wants to do everything mommy does and is into EVERYTHING!!!
Ok I'm off to clean up the dinner things! |
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