Mama to 6~The Large Family Logistics

Preparing a 30 Day Menu Using No Electricity

Good afternoon Family & Friends! I have been doing a lot of reading over at An Intentional Peasant's blog. She has been letting others know of ways to store food for future emergencies. Stockpiling your pantry is the name of the game. I myself have been wondering how to store food that can be used without using electricity.

 Being in a hurricane prone area,(and knowing that its been a long time coming for another major storm) I wanted to come up with a menu for at least 30 days that would allow me to feed my family.

Now, I have been able (most of the time) to do once a month shopping and get all of my needs. So, I have been able to keep at least a months supply of food on hand. It all requires using electricity to cook with as well as refridgeration/freezing. That's a good thing, but again I am looking to be able to prepare food for my family for at least 30 days electric free. I really pray that this will never happen though. I just want to be prepared.

During one of the last major hurricanes we had (which was about 10 years ago) we were without electricity for over a week. It was NO fun at all. I prepared poorly and needless to say, we ate junk food for over a week! Can you say YUCK! I never want to do that again. I couldn't wait to get some electricity just so we could have a HOT nutritious meal again.

So here I am now wanting to get started on this menu and what it will take to prepare at least one hot meal for my family if we get a hurricane this year.

If any of you have any ideas, PLEASE let me know. Maybe you could come up with your own menu using no electricity for 30 days. I'll post what I come up with once I get a plan set on paper. This is also going to help me, because I will need to start shopping for these supplies before the first threat of a hurricane comes to out area.

Have a blessed day in The Lord!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

I want a baby brudder...

Our 3yo found a robin's egg that had fallen out of it's nest.  She thinks her baby brudder is inside there.  She asked if we could put it in a nest so she can have a brudder.  My mother had given us some Land Before Time tapes and I didn't realize how quickly kids can be indoctrinated to different things.  Oh, ya, I know some of it, but this little one just gleans every bit of anything out of TV and I am having to watch her so much more closely than the other kids. 

For those that don't know... Land Before Time tapes are cute little dinosaurs that teach values.  However, it also teaches evolutionism (and yes the 3yo picked that up... so I am doing reverse training now on teaching creationism which was so natural to my other kids... but not to her, she just doesn't get the confused messages... yes she's three, but the others got it by this age... Jesus made the sunshine... Jesus made the green grass...etc.).  And, they personalize the little dinosaurs, in that, my little one thinks we lay eggs and put them in a nest and watch them hatch. 

While this is so cute... she went on and on about having a baby brudder.  She even sat down with a sad look with the egg in her hands waiting for it to hatch.  She went on for several days asking for her brudder... which Dh was just at ends with because as most of you know... Daddy's like to fulfill their daughter's requests and this was one he could do nothing about.  LOL.  (Trusting God, here!) The egg finally disappeared out of the house and she then was sad that someone took her brudder and threw him out.  Guess who she blamed???  Yup... MOM!  (I didn't take it, but  she still didn't believe me). 

Anyways, it was cute, but I learned a huge lesson, that I have been lax on the training of my 3yo... My other kids watched "Little Foot" (one of the dinosaurs) but it was when they were much older and already understood about creation and basic aspects of life... So, Mom got her hand slapped and is getting on with fixing her errors.  Yes, I know the issues with TV... I also know the issues my family has with NO TV.... especially Dh.  I also know that it isn't just our family, but our entire social circle at church and extended family that also are endeared to the TV.  So I won't get away from the TV as much as I'd like to... but I know that it can be combatted with a firm stand on what is OK and what isn't OK and limiting it at home as much as I am able.  I learned that with my other three kids.  But, I haven't been watching so closely with this little one.  I need to do better. 

Warmly, ~Melissa 

Our school year is complete....

This morning I am feeling such a sense of pleasure. My children are still nestled in their beds. The house is quite. David is off at work. Standardized testing was completed on Wednesday. I even got to the post office yesterday to mail back our answer sheets. I started putting away books that I have finished with and rearranging the curriculum cupboard in the basement. All I have to finish doing is grading some math papers, and all of my record keeping will be complete as well. Then all I will have to do is write my reports that are required by the state.

We are all ready to be done. The children are excited about the change in their daily routine. I am excited about being able to get outside early and not have to wait until school is finished. I think this is why we start school at the beginning of August. We have done so for 2 years, and both years have been very good years for us.

I have a few more details to workout in my planning for next year's curriculum. Most of it has already been purchased. I decided to change Natalie's math curriculm from Rod and Staff to Christian Light Education. She has been working in Rod and Staff since 3rd grade and has just finished 6th grade, but she is just not doing well with the mastery learning approach. Although I am not an advocate of changing programs so late in the game, I believe it will be best for her if we do. So, that is another expense. The Lord will provide for our needs.

Have a great Friday...
Jennie

Rhubarb and Strawberry Pie (Diabetic)

Rhubarb and Strawberry Pie (Diabetic)

Since summer is almost here and it is time for strawberry and rhubarb, I wanted to send this recipe in. It is a Diabetic recipe and I know you do not get a lot of these and they are just as good made this way. Or you can make it like you normally would.

Ingredients

• 3 cups, cut in 1 inch pieces (or 1 pkg frozen unsweetened rhubarb, thawed and undrained)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. Lemon juice
• 3 cups sliced strawberries
• 12 1/2 tsp. Equal Measure or 40 packets Equal sweetener or 1 2/3 cups Equal spoonful
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions

Use favorite recipe for pie crust for a 9 inch crust. Bake in pre heated oven as required by your recipe. Cool on wire rack.

For the whole pie to be baked, oven should be set at 350 degrees F. Add rhubarb into a large covered saucepan over medium heat until rhubarb releases liquid (about 5 minutes). Combine water, flour, cornstarch and lemon juice. Stir into rhubarb and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring constantly until mixture is thickened and rhubarb is almost tender (3-5 minutes longer). Stir in strawberries and cook 2-3 minutes longer. Stir Equal and nutmeg into fruit mix.

Spoon into pie crust, spreading evenly. Bake in oven until bubbly about 40 minutes. Cover edge of crust with aluminum foil if browning too quickly. Cool on wire rack, serve warm. Enjoy!

Dietary exchange:

• 1-starch/Bread
• 1 Fruit
• 1 Fat

Grandma’s Blackberry Cobbler

Grandma’s Blackberry Cobbler

  Crust:

 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 cup shortening (she used lard)

1/2 cup buttermilk, (saved from making butter)

1-1/3 cups flour

Filling:

1-1/2 lb. blackberries

1-1/3 cups granulated sugar

3-1/2 Tbsp. flour

1-1/3 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Topping:

1/2 Tbsp. melted butter

2-1/2 tsp. granulated sugar

Directions

 Mix all filling ingredients and put into prepared pan.

 For top crust: Mix sugar, baking powder, salt, shortening, buttermilk and 3/4 cup of flour to form a sticky dough. Spread remaining flour on a work surface and knead dough until most of the flour is incorporated and dough is manageable. Roll dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into large pieces. Cover blackberry filling with dough, overlapping pieces, patchwork style.

 Drizzle melted butter over dough and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until crust is golden-brown and filling is bubbly, about 50 minutes. Top with a scoop of ice cream or a whipped topping.

I'm SUNBURNED!

I managed to plant 3 rows of onions... 2.5 of red onions and a half row of white onions.  My skin started to hurt, so I hid for cover.    Tonight I can see that I am indeed sunburned on my arms. 

Today was a busy day.  But I feel good that something was accomplished.  Although, I was beginning to wonder, as my day seemed to get sidetracked every few minutes.  I decided not to get upset and that each step I made towards the goal, was a step closer than I was before I started. 

The biggest thing accomplished for me today was planting the 4 rose bushes that I bought last week.  I also planted a hydrangea bush by the driveway.  Dh smoothed out my old garden area (leveling it) and then put together a temporary campfire ring with some formed brick cement blocks.  I now have a pile of dirt to make my raised strawberry bed out of... someday. 

Second on my glad to get started list was the hauling of planting supplies to my garden, getting all the markers, string (for straight rows)... and actually getting some onions in the ground.  This process was interrupted by my 3yo who had lots of other things for mommy to do. 

We also found some baby killdeer birds flitting around the garden...and we caught one... and let it go.  Unfortunately, later on one of the cats or dogs caught one and killed it.  So sad!  I found it by the side of the house.  I was a bit upset.  Those little babies are so SOOOO cute.  We enjoy them each spring!  You can only catch them the first day or two... after that they are too quick for our clumsy bodies to catch them!   (And no, touching them has NEVER caused a momma or daddy bird to reject them). 

We set up one of our tents from farmer's market and put the sides on it for Paige to play in... she loved it... her own little house!  The wind caught it with all the sides on the tent and sent it rolling.  I'm glad she wasn't in it when the gust of wind blew it over.  I guess I will need to tie it down or put the weights on it, if we plan to use it with her again. 

Well, other than cooking and cleaning chores, that was my day. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

11 Free Clothespin Bag Patterns

11 Free Clothespin Bag Patterns

Free Laundry Bag Pattern - Vintage (1944)..from tipnut

Free Laundry Bag Pattern - Vintage (1944)

Homemade Chalk

Best for ages 4 and up

Materials

• Toilet tissue tube (or an ice cube tray to create smaller chunks for younger hands)
• Duct tape
• Aluminum foil if you are using a toilet paper tube (or petroleum jelly if you're using an ice cube tray)
• Disposable plastic container
• Plaster of Paris (Playbox plaster of Paris, about $4 for 4 1/2 pounds, dickblick.com)
• Water
• Liquid tempera paint (Prang Ready-To-Use tempera paint, about $5 for six colors, dickblick.com)
• Spoon

Instructions

Step 1
Cover one end of the toilet paper tube with duct tape. Loosely roll an 8- by-41/2-inch piece of aluminum foil and slip it into the tube so that it lines the inside, fitting snugly. (Or coat the inside of the ice cube tray with petroleum jelly.)

Step 2
Set tube upright (duct tape side down) on protected surface.

Step 3
In a disposable plastic container, help your child mix 1 cup plaster of Paris with 1/2 cup water. Stir slowly and thoroughly until plaster is dissolved, about 1 minute.

Step 4
Immediately add 2 tablespoons paint (or more for brighter chalk color, but be careful it can stain). Mix thoroughly.

Step 5
Spoon into the tube (or ice cube tray). Tap gently so mixture settles to the bottom.

Step 6
Let dry overnight before using.

A Rewarding Day! It's Time For Bed!

Good Evening Family and Friends! It has been a really busy day around here today. The children and I spent some much needed time out of the house today shopping. We started at the Mall (yuck!) and worked our way around to Wally World and the Dollar Tree.(it was DD's (17) idea to head to the mall.)

I needed to get some clothes for Dd (14) who will be going to visit her Grandma for a month or so next week. She has never been away from us for that amount of time and I am trying to act "grown up" about her decision. I know that she will have a great time visiting all of her cousins that she never gets to see and spending time with her Dad's Mom. I will just have to trust The Lord that He will keep her safe while away from me.

We also had a Homeschool Support meeting to attend today. I almost didn't make it in time. I left 2 bags of food at Wally World and had to drive 20 miles back to the store to get it. When I got there, they only had one bag. The cashier must have given the other bag ($12.00's worth) to another customer. )You can be sure that the next time, I will be a whole lot more mindful of where my groceries are at BEFORE I leave the store.

Anyway, I got off subject, back to the meeting. Only one other family showed up besides mine. With the exception of one family (thanks for letting me know.), I have no idea what happened to everyone else. We were suppose to plan our end of the year program. I am not sure what everyone wants to do. Prayerfully, I will be able to get a hold of everyone so we can make some plans.

I was blessed being able to talk with the one family that did come today. They are a couple who Homeschool their 5th grade son. They have been such an inspiration to me for these past 3 years. They have such an obvious love for The Lord. It shows in all that they say and do to others around them. Thank you Mr. E.K. and Mrs. Linda for being such a blessing in my family's life!

Having fellowship with like minded Christians who experience the same trials as you do is a blessing (not the trials, the fellowship) The Lord has blessed me with so many families to fellowship with. We get to share one another's burdens and pray for each other. It truly is a blessing that cannot be measured.

Well, as the picture I posted looks, so I feel right now. Its time to get ready for bed. Thank you Father for the day. Thank you for teaching me more about patience. Thank you Father for directing my paths and keeping them safe today. Thank you Father for Friends and Family!

To God Be The Glory, great things He has done and is still doing!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7