My Loving Home

Friday, March 19th

{ 10:51, Friday, March 19, 2010 } { 0 comments } { Link }

Greetings from our happy little homestead! The Lord has been convicting me that I'm feeling unproductive due in part because I'm spending too much time online. I want to spend more time doing things around the house, developing my "real life friendships," creating things for our home, and using my time wisely.

As spring approaches, and my work increases with gardening, the coming chickens, etc. I will be spending less time online.

Trusting in Him,
~Jennie

Discouraged ... then peaceful

{ 10:28, Thursday, March 18, 2010 } { 4 comments } { Link }

Greetings from our little homestead! I read many blogs regularly, and I'm always impressed with how much everyone seems to accomplish each day. I feel like I'm not "doing as much" and I get discouraged. But then I have to step back .... look at MY life .... analyze what I am accomplishing .... see the smiles on Hubby and the children's faces .... and I have peace again. Not complacency, because I believe I can always do a little better, but peace.

John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Trusting in Him,
~Jennie

Enjoying the day

{ 11:04, Wednesday, March 17, 2010 } { Posted in Around our home } { 5 comments } { Link }

Greetings from our sunny little homestead! What a difference the sunshine makes in my attitude and outlook. Maybe it shouldn't be that way; I guess I'm just "Solar Powered"! I woke the little ones up and started teaching them a new (to them) song, "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?" It brings me much joy to have fun with my children. I'm thankful for each one of the children; they are all so unique!

I'm trying to make a conscious effort to enjoy each and every day that the Lord has blessed me with. I truly believe that each day is a gift. This life holds no guarantees; we are not promised tomorrow. But we are promised the Lord's love and care and presence, and for that I'm grateful!

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:
for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

What joy and peace that promise from God's Word should give us!

Around our homestead this week:

~ I'm still struggling with my menu plans, though I do have all of this week planned out and that has been a big help. I would like to work up to planning two weeks at a time.

~ The family budget is my top priority for this week. We have planned what we believe to be the wisest use of our tax return. The Lord has really helped us in this area. We have not yet *arrived* but He is guiding! It is nice to see progress, and we are grateful for the Lord's provision. It all comes through His hand.

~ My onion sets went moldy! I was pretty upset. I had bought them in bulk at the farm store. I guess I was negligent and didn't remove them from the bulk bag soon enough. I've learned my lesson there; out of the plastic bag immediately! That way I can tell if there's anything moldy in there, and keep the mold from spreading throughout. So I'll be purchasing more sets this week. I'm hoping to get them in the ground in the next week or two, along with some peas.

~ My rose bushes are starting to sprout, so those need to be planted in the next day or two. Hubby has a vacation day on Friday, so that will probably be our "work outside" day.

~ The children and I will be starting seeds in the next couple of weeks. We have all of the necessary supplies: seeds, starter trays, starter pellets, etc. I am looking at grow lights and considering investing in one. Though our family room is South-facing, I don't think our plants got enough sunlight last year.

I'm thankful for the longer days and more hours of sunlight, and for the change in seasons. Spring has such a "newness" to it that just cheers me!

Trusting in Him,
~Jennie

Apple Jelly

{ 09:56, Monday, March 15, 2010 } { Posted in In the Kitchen } { 6 comments } { Link }

Greetings from our little homestead! I've been saving apple peels and cores for a few months to use in making apple jelly, which I made tonight. It was very easy to make. It tastes delicious and looks pretty.

I started by dumping all the peels and cores which had been in the freezer (stored in a bag) into a large pot and covered them with 6 cups of water.

That simmered for 30 minutes. Then I strained out the scraps so I'd have just the apple juice remaining.

I mixed the juice, pectin, and sugar together, and brought that mixture to a boil for one minute.

The hot jars were filled ...

Then placed in the hot water bath for 10 minutes ...

And the finished jelly sitting on the counter, cooling:

Yum! It still looks a bit runny; I'm hoping it will firm up as it continues to cool down. I heard all seven jars "ping" so at least I know they're sealed. I tasted a bit, and WOW! It's delicious!

Off to read my new Keepers at Home magazine which came in the mail today. I also have an old issue of Backwoods Home magazine, from 1999, with a good gardening article to read tonight.

Trusting in Him,
~Jennie

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My Loving Home

Friday, March 19th

Discouraged ... then peaceful

Enjoying the day

Apple Jelly

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