Quiet Life Homestead

Container Gardening & Recent Happenings

We purchased some plants from WalMart and are going to try container gardening.  We bought a tomato plant and a bell pepper plant, both which already have yummy things growing.  Also we purchased some seeds which we're starting in small containers which we will later on transfer to larger ones.  Also, we bought two hanging plants (strawberry and tomato) that are more like kits.  Charlie surprised me with an herb collection kit and some basil and lavender.  This will be our first garden of any type in a few years, so I'm pretty excited to see how it all works out.  I'm going to move everything outside tomorrow as the storms should all be history by then.  My aloe plant got a little too wet so I had to bring it in, hopefully it will be okay.

We bought some turkeys from Target tonight, one goes into the freezer and the other into the fridge to thaw.  I want to try Trisha Yearwood's turkey recipe and see how it works for us.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Last night we left the kids here while we made a quick trip to the grocery store.  They were under orders to peel potatoes for mashing.  While we were gone they not only peeled and cut the potatoes (plus put them on to boil) but rearranged the living room!  We were only gone maybe 20 minutes, but they got lots done.  We were so surprised!  I think maybe we'll keep them!  :)

Pet Odors

Rainy Day & Homemaking Ideas Requested

We woke up this morning to the refreshing sound of rain!  I love the rain!!  Something about it refreshes me.

Today will be a cleaning day on our little homestead.  The kids will do their schooling and then they will join in.  I broke down this morning and purchased some dishwasher detergent.  I still haven't been able to get Maa's baking soda & salt recipe to work for me, it keeps scratching the dishes, no matter how much or little salt I use.  We'd been trying to have the kids do the dishes, but they kept piling up with other things we've been having to do lately.  I'll get us caught up and then they will get back on task with it. 

I was planning on making some bread today but will have to put it off.  Does anyone else have problems with their bread if they make it on a rainy day?  Mine just doesn't seem to rise like it should with all the humidity.

I've decided that I'm going to give myself a home-making, home-keeping (whatever you want to call it) course to learn all the things I never have learned but need to.  I'm talking about basics and on.  I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on some books and such that have helped them in the past and that they would recommend.  I'm wanting to learn some of the following: how to simplify, how to run a home more effecently (spelled wrong, sorry), home sewing, etc.  I do have a copy of Training Our Daughters to Be Keepers at Home.  Should I start with that?  Any ideas would be appreciated.

That time of year again

The kids have an appointment at the library tomorrow afternoon.  The summer reading program is getting ready to begin and this year all three of the kids are old enough to volunteer.  Unfortunately, the library is rather small so only two of them will be working on any given day.  I was wishing that all three could work on the same days to save on gas, but it isn't going to happen.

Some of the birdseed we've been putting out all winter seems to have begun growing.  We aren't quite sure what exactly is growing, but it will be fun to watch and see.  We've been enjoying observing the trees and noting which ones have leaves.  We lost a lot of limbs this past winter and at least one really big tree.  It will be interesting to see if any of the trees have problems this year. 

We have a chance for thunderstorms tomorrow and Friday.  We haven't had much bad weather, just some rain. 

Does anyone know if you can plant regular pinto beans?  By regular I mean, the kind you purchase at the grocery store.  I thought about trying to see if it would work but wondered if anyone else knew.

What's been going on lately

Hey all, I sure haven't been keeping up here lately, even though I said I would.  Now I have to catch up on all that's been going on with you all. 

We now have neighbors living next to us.  They are very nice and have a boy inbetween our boys' ages so they play football and baseball all the time.  They used to homeschool and are new to the community.  Unfortunately, their mobile home blocks out our wonderful view of the trees and wildlife.  It takes some getting used to, but we knew we couldn't be here all by ourselves for ever.

I've been sewing like crazy (quilt tops) and am almost ready to start quilting (hand - I can't stand machine quilting).  I might as well admit it - I don't do well fighting all that material to try to quilt it on my machine.  It just seems easier to put a hoop on it and do it that way.  We still haven't started making clothing yet, for some reason I keep putting it off.  I need to stop that and just dive into it.

I've been crocheting dishrags and pot holders with all the spare yarn I've inherited.  Bethany would help, but right now she's working on making enough yo-yos to make a doll.  The boys and Charlie have been working on leatherworking projects, trying to get them done to sell.  The goal is for Charlie to be able to make a living on his leatherworking and magazine work. 

We took Larken to the vet last month to "get the works."  She had her dew claws removed (kept scratching her eyes trying to groom like the cat), spayed, current shots, heartworm test and preventative medication, and ended up getting eye and ear medication as well as antibiotics for the staff infection.  We didn't realize she still had the staff from last year, but apparently she did.  Tomorrow she takes her last antibiotics.  Also the vet said that she's allergic to most dog food and wants us to purchase some food that costs approx $70 for a 30lb bag!  Being an english bulldog, her mouth is really weird and so she has problems with small food - being able to chew it instead of just swallowing it.  We're currently looking for cheaper hypoallergenic food (venison and potatoes) as her first bag is almost gone.

Bethany's doing quite well, back to normal in fact.  She's been doing great remembering her pills and its nice to not have any appointments for a few months.  We go back in July for a check up. 

On the homeschooling front, we've gone 100% back to the Robinson method - with adding a few books.  The kids are progressing quite well in both the reading and in their Saxon math books.  We keep plugging away in spelling and are getting ready to do a bit of grammar as a refresher.  With all we're trying to get going, this simplification is really helping and it is refreshing to hear the kids remark on what they're learning.  Now if I can only find a way to get them studying the vocabulary..........

We planted some onions, not sure if they're going to grow or not.  The peppers haven't done anything yet either.  We found a new (to us anyway) vegetable stand type facility and will probably go there a lot this year.  We had planned on asking for permission from the land owner if we could pay a type of rent on the property next to us so we could plant a garden - but people moved in on it.

Also, the flowers (bulbs) we planted last year haven't come up yet.  I guess they must have been annuals (isn't that what they're called if you plant them each year).  At some point I'd like to get some more but will do research to see what kinds automatically come up next year.

Spring - For the Time Being, At Least

We're having wonderful weather today and are suposed to for the next few days.  The boys have been playing outside once their schoolwork is finished and I may even get Bethany to go outside.  We have a nature reserve type place near here and may go there tomorrow.  I'm hoping the ticks and fleas aren't out yet.  It seems every time we go (Oxley Nature Center) we get covered in ticks and mosquitos.  I suppose I can see if we have some repellant handy.

The kids and I watched the movie Martian Child yesterday and really liked it.  Also, we watched Sense and Sensibility - Bethany's going through quite the Jane Austen faze right now.  I honestly had never seen Sense and Sensibility before, though I've seen both Pride and Prejudice and Emma on several occassions.  I need to do a search and find a list of all Jane's books so that Bethany can read them all.

I STILL haven't planted anything, I haven't even purchased any seedlings or seeds.  I may go to Sutherland's this weekend and see what they have to offer.  Also, we found a really good produce market and will be checking that out as well.  I know it would be cheaper to grow our own food, but we still don't have permission from the lot owner.

Time to go outside............................

Some Progress in Simplification, Questions, Too

I've finished the master bathroom and am almost finished with the master bedroom.  Right now, I've got a bunch of boxes with material in them that I need to get organized. 

We're really trying to simplify our lives and thought we were almost there - financially anyway until all this stuff with Bethany came up. 

I got several books from the library on decorating and have been looking at them for inspiration as far as what to keep and what to toss.  We're still trying to find a system that works as far as sewing machines and sewing supplies - where to put them, etc.  We were given a box of thread and so we're pretty well set in that area.  If you sew, what does your sewing area look like? 

Also, we're looking into starting a container garden and are trying to decide whether to purchase seeds or seedlings.  Have you found much difference?  I know the difference between the two, but am asking if you've had more success with one or the other.

We're out of birdseed once again and are trying to decide if we want to purchase more.  After a few days of having the seed out, we get a bunch of black birds who come in and scare all the cardinals and such away and eat the food.  Does anyone know, is there a way to keep that from happening?

We've had a few days of great temperatures  but Monday it will drop about 40 degrees.  I can't remember a winter hanging on so long here in Oklahoma.  Its pretty weird. 

Anyway, if you have any advice on the above topics, I'd really appreciate it.

Wednesday Evening

Today Charlie and I celebrated our 18th Wedding Anniversary.  We spent it checking to see if his store has power - it doesn't.  Also we checked in on his parents.  They still don't have power at the apartment, though his dad has power at his work.  They were down to their last four logs so we spent most of the day in search of wood - never did find any, but did find AAA batteries, which they also needed.  His dad had someone who was going to give them some wood for tonight (its going to be around 24 degrees tonight), and then can get more for the next few days.  We also brought some warm food so they could have something, well, warm.  We offered use of our home to them and their kitties if it gets bad tonight so the kids are straightening up their rooms just in case.

We still have lots of limbs to pick up, hopefully starting tomorrow.  Charlie's got someone else to check on the store since they live closer.  That will save lots of gas and will free us to get some of our stuff done.  I'm hoping to make bread tomorrow.  We don't have any wheat flour and still don't have a very workable plan for grinding the wheat (yet) so I'll use oats instead and make oatmeal bread.

Mom and Staci both have power now so that takes some of our worries away.  Not that we could have done much for them, but still........

Ice Storm

I just thought I'd report on our ice storm experience.  Sunday evening, well, almost all day Sunday, we had sleet off an on.  Monday morning showed ice on trees and power lines, very beautiful, but also very dangerous.  About five minutes after Charlie left for work (around 9am), our power went out when a tree across the road and a little bit north of us (we saw it happen) fell across the lines. 

The kids and I had lots of fun, reading The Cat of Bubastes aloud (again), looking through tons of Where's Waldo type books, crocheting (us girls), playing Axis and Allies (the boys), and roasting marshmallows by candlelight.  We fortunately have lots of blankets so we stayed fairly warm. 

Pretty soon I noticed hearing people talk outside.  About then I realized that I hadn't heard any semis going down the road - or other vehicles for that matter.  It seems as though our favorite leaning tree finally fell - we knew it would eventually happen.  Not only did it fall, but it fell across the road and took 6-7 men 5-6 hours to completely remove.  Our electricity was out for only about 6 hours, not too bad since my sister-in-law's power's still out and has been since Saturday.  Also, Charlie's parents still don't have power.  Both of those have fireplaces though so it isn't as bad for them as it could be.

Charlie's store is without power and so he's spending the day with us.  We have lots of limbs to pick up and thankfully no damage.  We're going to get out later on and visit Charlie's parents to see if they need anything.  My sister said last night that she was having to spend the night at a friend's house.  There were 12 people there including her and the kids.  It sure was noisy!  :)  I haven't heard from my Mom yet, though Staci (sister) said that she was also staying at someone's home. 

I hope everyone else affected by the storms are doing alright.  We may have more yucky weather coming in a few days so will be stocking up on some essentials once payday comes.  Be careful out there!

Monday Chores

Well, its back to the routine today.  I really need to find my recipe to make dishwashing soap since I'm almost out.  We have laundry to do, as always, and the floor needs a good going over.

The kids are going to make some homemade bird food.  Either the birds have come early or we're just not prepared.  I have yet to purchase seed for them and it will be two weeks before we can.

Also, we've gotten a late start on making Christmas presents.  I'm honestly wondering what we've been thinking lately.  Its like the whole month just rushed by while we weren't looking.  Does anyone else feel this way?

I was hoping to delegate the bread making to Bethany, but she still isn't feeling very well, so I'll put her on some duties where she can sit and rest - maybe finish the crochet afghan. 

The boys have been gathering all the fallen limbs and will take them over by the trash cans, hopefully they will be picked up and hauled off with the rest of the trash (limbs, not boys - LOL).

I hear the kids moving around so its time to start the coffee and get things going.  Have a great day!

Fall, Turkeys, Quilting, & Making Dog Food

The temperatures are finally starting to get a little cooler, not quite enough for me yet, but it is a blessing to not have highs in the 90s and 100s!  I'm looking forward to when we're able to take the window air unit out and put the screen back in.  Right now its a bit stuffy in here because I won't open the windows.  You see, two orb weaver spiders have decided to put their homes outside my kitchen window and living room window.  I'm terrified of spiders and can't get up the nerve to actually open the windows near them.  At least I'm able to watch the one out of my kitchen window as it builds its web and traps little buggies.  I'm hoping they will eat all these mosquitos we still have around.  You can't be outside for more than a few seconds before they are all over you!

I've just spent the day boiling turkey off the bone and digging through to separate the meat from the bone.  I'm not going to buy the turkeys at Target any more.  You wouldn't believe all the splintered bones that showed up even from the regular cooking the other day!  The only turkeys I've ever had this problem with are those I bought at Target.  Does anyone else have this same experience?  I told Charlie that next time I'm going to purchase one that's a bit more expensive and see if I have the same problem.  Maybe there's a reason these turkeys are 88 cents per pound!  I finally got disgusted and threw the rest of the turkey away.  I have enough for turkey soup, which is now cooking, now hopefully I'll be able to eat it.

There are some criminals running around the Tulsa area attacking people who are home during the day, so the kids and I have been keeping a low profile.  I so long for our home to be on some land, away from the road and the big city.  I do know that wouldn't make us totally safe, that isolation has its dangers (I've seen the movie about the family in Kansas), but I don't want to feel like a prisoner in my own home.

I'm ready to get going with my sewing and quilting.  Bethany and I moved our workstations into the living room and are just about finished setting the whole thing up.  We moved the stuff weeks ago but are just now getting everything situated because life was happening.  We found some old clothing patterns that we think will be fun to try out, and I still need to make our "prairie" dresses and underthings.  I keep putting it off, but I do need to just get started.  I'm sure it can't be as hard as I think it will be.

Finally, I got a wonderful book at the library that has recipes for dog food.  Actually, for the most part, it is human food just given to dogs.  According to them, I can give Larken some of our soup tonight (without the onions, of course) and she'll be just fine.  Larken loves the idea as I'm sure you can imagine.  The book is The Good Food Cookbook for Dogs and was written by Donna Twichell Roberts.  There are a few recipes that I'm going to jot down because I think Larken will like them as well.  I have a book waiting for me at the library that has recipes for cat food.  I'll let you know what I think of them once I've had the chance to check it out.

Saving Money on Groceries

I'm currently trying to find ways to reduce our grocery bill.  Rellamom really inspired me when she said that she feeds her 10 for $100 a week (or was it two weeks?  Forgive me for forgetting, Carrie).  Right now, either one would be great for us.  I've got it down to about $150 every week for 5, so I have a ways to go. 

One of the best things we've done is switch from regular milk to powdered milk.  With 2% milk being almost $4 at the local grocery store, I can buy a thing of powdered milk that makes 4 gallons (I think) and costs around $7. 

I know that another thing we can do is have more meatless meals and have been reading my Nourishing Traditions book (among others) trying to get ideas.  We've been having pinto beans for the past three nights and its starting to wreck havoc on my system. 

Yesterday I made a double batch of wheat bread, but made it go into 5 loaves (4 regular, 1 round).  Its the same recipe we've always used, but it seems sweeter this time.  I still haven't gotten up the nerve to try a 100% whole wheat bread yet.  Our bread has both white and wheat, sometimes oatmeal.

Also, we totally cut out soft drinks and have eaten out only once in the past two weeks.  Yes, I'm dying for a coke and whatever fast food is on the latest commercial.  Does that ever go away?  I've been drinking water and have gotten used to unsweetened tea, so the only thing I'm using white sugar in is my coffee.  Charlie drinks it black and has suggested that I do the same but I don't think I can.  I'm a coffee-wuss, a white-chocolate-moca-extra-whip-cream-two-sugars-in-the-raw at Starbucks kinda girl.  Or at home I think the phrase is, "Would you like some coffee with your milk and sugar?"  I have a long way to go, but am seeing some benefit.  I've lost 5 lbs and have more energy.

If anyone has any helpful hints that work for them, please let me know. 

Homemade Dog &/or Cat Food?

I was just wondering if any of you make your own dog &/or cat food.  I used to do it years ago for one of our cocker spaniels and think I'm going to have to do it again.  Larken is exhibiting some of the signs Joe did (scratching constantly, rash everywhere, throwing up, etc) and I know it is from the food.  My only options are to either change dog food or make our own.  We're using Beneful right now (and I realized last night that was the same brand we used to feed Joe when he had all the problems).  I used to have some websites saved that discussed (in disgusting detail) what goes into a lot of dog foods, but can't remember where the sites are.  I did find a few, but one that I seem to remember had specific brands listed to avoid on both the dog and cat food brands.  I can remember that Iams is a big no-no, but can't remember about Purina One.  If anyone has any information or uses this food, please let me know what you think of it.

I'm also considering either switching Holly's food or making her food from scratch as well.  I still have the recipes that I printed off "way back then" and plan to use those if it comes to it.

Wednesday

I really need to come up with better titles for my entries.  I think what I'll do for now on is write the entry and then see if I can come up with a title for it. 

It was hot last night.  I've got to find a way to bring the cool air from outside inside.  I have one of those window fans and think I may try it tonight.  Charlie ended up filling a metal bowl with ice and putting that in front of his fan.  Not only did this cool the room, but it made it where Larken could settle down her breathing so Mom (me) could fall asleep.  Who knows, maybe tonight we'll both put bowls of ice in front of our fans! 

The rug I'm crocheting is coming along really nicely.  It kinda looks like a braided rug from a distance and I think its going to work out great.  I can see myself making more after this since I have lots of yarn.  Charlie took the camera to work so I'll have to take a picture later - boy, I owe a lot of pictures.  Charlie likes the material I have set aside for the sofa.  The problem is that I don't have enough of it.  We may go to Hobby Lobby to see what they have.  There's also a Hancock Fabrics nearby so we might check it out as well. 

No Thunderstorms, Just Sprinkles & A Fish Question

We didn't get much yesterday, but my little plants are sure to be happy.  I just hope they grow and get strong before the heat comes and dries everything out.  Today is our "off" day, we're to get rain tomorrow.  We'll see about that!

The kids are working on their schoolwork.  I think they're behind so they will have to work hard today and tomorrow.  The goal is to be done on Saturday because they want to go to work with Dad.

I'm going to scour my cookbooks this morning and see if I can find a recipe for catfish.  We were given two big pieces (sides, I guess) and I have no clue how to cook them.  At least, without frying.  I bought some Mahi Mahi (can't stand catfish) and so Cody, Beth, & I will have it while Charlie and Dallas have the catfish.  The Mahi Mahi has instructions on the package so maybe I can cook the catfish the same way.  Do you cook sea fish and lake fish the same way?

The cleaning (& tossing) continues....Sewing....Quilting.....I think I need to divide my day into thirds and then devote the specific amount of time for each.  I picked up a few books at the library that tell how to take patterns and use them to make clothing and so I'm anxious to start with that as well.  It's hard for me though to excuse doing this when I have all this junk still to go through.  Also I keep going back and forth trying to decide how I want to do the sofas: recover, make a throw for them, reupholster, etc.

Okay, I'm getting off now and kicking it into gear.....

Friday's Agenda: Yard Work and Sewing

I spoke with Mom this morning and after doing a few errands, she should be on her way here.  I'm already wearing my jeans that have holes in the knees, a bummy t-shirt, and some work boots.  I'm so ready to get outside and do some work.  I may start before she gets here as I don't know when that will be.

As I'm typing, I'm listening to Glenn Beck and he's playing Alec Baldwin's phone message to his 11 year old daughter.  Oh my goodness, it's awful!  I'm going to be praying for this poor girl.

The kids slept in the living room last night and had their "movie marathon," which consisted of two movies: Lady in the Water, and National Treasure.  Mean ole Mom kept having them turn the sound down as it was really loud, the windows were open, and I was trying to go to sleep.  Still in the DVD player are The Great Raid, Joe Versus the Volcano, and Sahara.  I guess they'll watch them tonight.

Oh my, we have a serious case of hyper dog here right now!  Larken keeps getting Bethany's bear (cheesy mac and cheese) and running all over the house.  Bethany took it away from her so she got another one of Bethy's stuffed animals.  Well, Bethany's always wanted a little sister to play toys with! :)

I talked to Charlie for almost an hour last night.  He still has over 700 minutes on his pre-paid cell phone and we're trying to use some of it up, so he calls the house phone here and it doesn't cost us.  He says he's still on Oklahoma time and thus is getting up early and going to bed early.  He hasn't gone sightseeing or anything yet and hasn't decided if he will or not.  We haven't been to Las Vegas since we lived in 29 Palms (16 years ago) and my sister flew into the Las Vegas airport when she came to visit us.  It was a much better drive than going into LA and cheaper than Palm Desert.  When we'd come to Oklahoma to visit family, we'd drive straight through which took about 16-17 hours if I remember correctly.  How times have changed!  If we tried to do that now, we'd never make it!  Instead of admitting that its because we've gotten older, we could just blame it on the kids, right?!

I finished separating the material yesterday and am itching to get some quilt tops sewn.  That's something I can start doing while I'm waiting on Mom to get here.  I have the book Egg Money Quilts by Eleanor Burns and in it she has a quick and easy way to make Grandmother's Flower Garden.  I'm thinking about doing this with some of my patriotic material and calling it Grandmother's Victory Garden.  I think that's what I'll work on.  Also, I'm thinking of making throws to go over the sofas until I get a chance to work on them.  I guess we'll see what all I can get accomplished.  Dallas is tooling leather (I can hear him) and Cody's probably playing with army men, so that leaves Bethany and I to our sewing.

I'd better get off this contraption so I can get working! 

Vicki

Wednesday Evening Update

Bethany and I had a "lovely" time (actually it wasn't too bad) going through all the material.  We separated it into 6 categories: Christmas, animals & people (this includes cartoons like Tony Tiger), flannels (to be used to make sanitary napkins), flowers, solids, and miscellaneous.  Some of the material is comprised of tiny scraps that I'll have to use fusable webbing or maybe could use to fill pillows.  Either later today or tomorrow we're going to go through it again and take out the bigger pieces that we think would make good clothing material.  My Mom knows how to make clothing, so we may pick her brain on how to do it while she's here.  Maybe we'll even make something!  I also have material set aside that is patriotic or patriotic colors. 

A few weeks ago I purchased a yarn kit that you use to make a red, white, and blue afghan, but I'm so tempted to try to make a crochet rug with it.  I've never done it before and love the pictures of them in a booklet I have.  I guess I should see if I have enough before I think about doing something like that.  The reason I'm thinking about doing that instead of the afghan is the afghan has stars and it looks really hard to do.  I know, I'm a wimp!  Actually, wimp probably isn't the correct word for it.  How about....chicken?!

Charlie called from Phoenix to see if his store called and let me know how they did today.  Gee, honey, I miss you too! :)  No, really, he did ask that but also wanted to see how we were doing (especially Larken!).  His Dad called earlier and said he has some meat someone gave him and he wanted to know if we wanted some.  I told him that we'll eat almost anything (he started off the conversation wanting to know if we ate road kill!).  He thinks its wild boar but can't remember and will ask the guy in the meantime.  So, if he remembers to bring them to his work he'll call me tomorrow and I'll run up there and pick it up.

I also spoke with Mom this afternoon.  She's going to bring up the weed eater and some other lawn tool type items so we can work on the yard while she's here.  It will feel so good to get outside and do some work!  We'll probably go to the zoo either Saturday or Sunday, it all depends on what time she gets here Friday and how long it takes to do the yard work.

I'm feeling a lot better than I did earlier.  The kids and I had a talk about how we feel when Charlie's away and they have been so precious and helpful.  Dallas was worried about him earlier and was pacing the floors.  I told him to give it to Jesus, to pray about it and let Jesus know how he was feeling.  I wonder what we'd all be like if Charlie was still in the military.  I think a lot of it has to do with the world we now live in.  I never thought twice about him flying before September 11.  You just never know these days what will happen and I don't know how people stand it, the ones that don't have Jesus anyway.  There isn't any worrying going on here, its just that a part of us is gone.  The dog hasn't freaked out yet and that's a blessing.  I'm so glad that Mom's coming up Friday because that will keep Larken's mind at least a little bit off Daddy. 

Now I'm listening to the Yankees' game and getting ready to make some dinner.  I finally found the Oklahoma map that's been hiding from me.  I'll check it out later while doing a realtor.com search and see what areas they have listed nearby with affordable homes.  I did get the mortgage company to agree to reduce the payments if we get alternative insurance, but until then we're still struggling VERY hard.  Please keep us in your prayers.

Vicki

Bread questions and daily happenings

I made brown sugar yesterday!  I got the recipe from Camelot Homestead Farm and its really easy, 2TBSP molasses and 1c white sugar.  Then you mix it up really well.  It does taste a little molassy (I know, not a word) but otherwise works great.  I'm going to make some oatmeal bread today and needed it for the recipe.  I copied another recipe for 7 loaf bread from Quiverful Acres and it has leichten (or something like that) and gluten in the ingredients.  I'm not sure what these are, how to get them, if I can substitute something else instead.  Any advice?

We didn't get to get the patterns out to look at yesterday.  Just as I was getting ready to, Charlie called me and asked for me to run a few errands for him.  We got off to a late start this morning, but will try to get to them once schoolwork is completed.

The kids and I are going to start using Beth Moore's Patriarch Bible Study for our homeschool Bible study.  This will be the kids' first and my 5, I think, Beth Moore study.  Our Bible reading just doesn't seem to be going as deep as we're wanting it to.  Maybe this will help.

The weather's still getting warmer, although today we're having a little bit of rain.  I hope to be able to plant in another day or so.

Vicki

Monday

We have chances of rain almost every day this week.  The temps should slowly start climbing back up again.  I haven't checked NOAA yet to see our updated forcast but will soon. 

Today we will be homeschooling (of course), cleaning the kitchen (its a mess, I was lazy over the weekend), I'll be listening to the messages that Wisdom Farms suggested on cottage industries, laundry, more tossing of unwanted/unneeded junk, quilting (?), and I really need to get those patterns out and start looking them over.  I've decided that there won't be a "perfect" time to begin, that I need to just do it. 

I went on realtor.com yesterday and did find some cheap listings (in a town an hour from Charlie's work!).  I'm going to grab my Oklahoma map and start a search in this surrounding area and see how far out we have to go.  I don't mind a fixer-upper, but would like at least an acre so we can have a few animals.  I keep telling Charlie that if he'd just remember the number to his account in Switzerland (joking here ) then we could get any house we wanted.  My mom suggested we try to get a loan for this place, but we don't know yet what we're going to do.  Please continue the prayers and advice.

The five of us ate almost the whole 11lb ham yesterday!  Okay, it was two meals, but, golly, I thought I'd have more leftovers to work with.  I'm learning that leftovers, especially of meat, are a very good thing.  What I'll probably do is cook some beans and add the ham to them.  I have some bean mixes plus lentils, navy beans, black beans, and pinto beans, so all I have to do is decide which I want to make.

Something I'm going to be doing a little every day is going through all the quilt books and magazines I have and seeing which ones I want to keep.  The rest I'll probably donate (magazines anyway) I think my Mom and Staci have all the same ones I do.  I'm going to keep the Australian ones - my favorite!  There just seems to be so much excess everywhere in our home that it feels like its holding me back from doing just about everything.  I'm thinking that maybe if we had less stuff we'd be able to get more accomplished.  Another area I need to work in is my cookbooks.  I hardly cook out of them (although I want to) but I have too many.  Also, I've been tempted to give Bethany a lot of these things for her hope chest (which she doesn't have yet), but isn't that just a transfer of location?  I haven't technically gotten rid of it, I've just put the burden on my daughter who already has way too much stuff in her room.

The good news is we've already inherited all the stuff we should for hopefully a long time.  Now we can go through our belongings and see if we really need all we have.  I already know the answer to that, I just need to act upon it.  Here we go!

Vicki

Tuesday on the "Homestead"

Charlie's not 100% sure its poison ivy, he thinks it may be poison sumac.  I'm thinking of collecting some in a ziplock and taking it to the local nursery and see if they can tell me.  Whatever it is, it needs to be GONE! 

I'm letting the kids sleep in as they stayed up late watching the basketball game last night.  Oops, I just heard one of them.  We're going to get back into the spring of things with our homeschooling today.  Afterwards the kids really need to work on their bedrooms and bathrooms.  Were talking danger zones!

The high today is forecasted to be 77 (that's 10 degrees lower than yesterday) with it getting cooler around midday.  Tonight it is going to get down around the 40s with a high of 60 something tomorrow.  We don't have the air conditioner hooked up yet and have just been having the windows open and fans on.  I'm so welcoming the cooler weather, I know the dog is as well.

I picked up, at the library, a copy of Worms Eat My Garbage yesterday and found out that nightcrawlers aren't the kind of worms that you can keep in a portable compost.  According to the book, they need several feet of space and temps no higher than 50.  I was going to have the boys let them go last night but forgot.  Once the rain comes this afternoon, I may have them take them out.  It really depends on if it gets darker or not.  I told them to go ahead and read the book as we can still do it with different worms. 

I didn't get a chance to do any quilting yesterday so that will be what I do while the kids are doing their studies.  I'll be tying Dallas' quilt, as there will be enough room on the kitchen table to do that along with their school books.  Afterwards, I'm going to get back into getting rid of stuff.  Its weird, but when I'm just sitting or walking through a room, I seem to see lots of items that are candidates for getting rid of.  Then when I'm actually going through a room to get rid of stuff, I can't seem to decide where to begin!  I'll just have to be prayerful but ruthless.  Why is it we get emotionally attached to things?  Is that not the silliest?

Time to get on task.

Vicki