Quiet Life Homestead

Friday Update

I haven't been posting a whole lot as of late, because we are just so busy it seems. And when we're not so busy, I'm so tired.

My kids have all been taking turns feeling sick or keeping me extra busy. About 2 weeks ago, my oldest and youngest had strep throat. Then I've spent the last week or so potty training my little one. That in itself takes about half my time, although now that she's getting the hang of it, she's starting to be able to do it on her own. And she didn't have any night time accidents last night! Yay! Today, my middle daughter is home from school with what seems like a urinary tract infection. So we're drinking extra water and she seems to already be feeling better. Also, public schools are going to be done next week, and so we're getting all the end of the year stuff done, and then I will have all three of my children at home with me to homeschool! I am so thrilled!

We're also just getting through our biggest birthday season. My girls both had their birthdays within the last month, plus my brother, step brother, and brother in law all had birthdays one right after another. And then this week was my nieces birthday.

Mother's day was such a blessing to me! My husband and kids all made lunch and we went and ate at the park and just enjoyed time together.

On the housing front, we went and took my dad to look at the prospective house and he thinks it's a nice house, but found a few things needing repair. There's evidence of a leaky spot in the den, which would need immediate attention(unless it's an old spot), and we couldn't find an outdoor cleanout for the plumbing. Other than that it's a lot of cosmetic things, floors needing some repair, windows that are cracked or broken, stuff like that. We had a good rain the last couple of days and dad wants me to go look and see how bad the leak is, and depending on that will depend what our offer will be. But the good news is that we will definately be making an offer. If the roof is leaking horribly, then we're going to offer about 10,000 less than what they're asking and see what kind of counter offer they make. The realtor told us the seller is desperate to get out from under it, because they've already bought another house and are having to make 2 payments. So we're praying that we can be in this house by sometime this summer. I honestly don't remember how long the homebuying process takes, but I know it at least takes a month to two months. I know we'll definately be in there by the time this little one makes it's arrival.

And speaking of this little one...On Sunday I will be 11 weeks. I still have yet to make my first midwife appointment. I'm really not in any hurry. With my other little ones I've always seen the doctor by the time I was 8 weeks, but I guess after 3 healthy pregnancies, I feel no rush to get in there, although I would love to hear the baby's heartbeat. I'm also still contemplating which doctor/midwife I will see. I had my mind set on a midwife that's about 40 miles north of us. It would mean a drive once a month and more often as the time drew near, but it would also mean the birth that I've always wanted. Then there's the doctors here in town, but I would have to sacrifice on what I want. But then I got to thinking about gas, and the chances that I could go into labor during an ice or snow storm during December. I'm still not sure what I want to do. I'll just keep praying for now and see what the Lord would have me do.

Well, that's enough of an update for now. We've been having wonderful weather and have only had the a/c on twice for just a couple hours. I'll update again when I have more to share.

Blessings, sara

Comfort or Character?

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

Friday!

Good Morning!

Weather here is still a bit dreary, but is still quite nice.  We have been productive in the house and have tried to stay home to keep from using gas! With prices jumping 12 cents in one evening it is hard to justify going out for much of anything... but today I must.  We like our milk and I need milk so I can make bread, so we must venture out today.  That and it is our annual Antique Alley down our towns main strip and far beyond... it is always great fun and I am getting ready to head that way now.  I don't plan on buying anything unless there is something TOO delicious that I can't pass it up. I wish you all the greatest of days and that this weekend will be terrific for you as well. 

My Cup Runneth Over...Chas

Heavenly Desserts!

Blessings!

   I like desserts as well as the next person but boy do our daughters know how it's done:P

   Tonight our Miss Sarah made her delicious fresh strawberry shortcake! Yum! She makes her own homemade sweetbread shortcakes and makes a nice syrup on the strawberries with just a bit of sugar stirred in on them and serves it with a nice portion of whipped topping!

   Having that on a fresh, warm shortcake is so yummy! I always eat too much of it and always want more:P I'm also allergic to strawberries so I make sure I take my benedryl a half hour before she serves it:P Our Miss Mary-Ann is also allergic and she follows suit. No sense in letting that go to waste:P Some things are simply worth a few hives:)

   Here's her picture of her lovely creation.

   I love fruit season:) Can't wait for all those lovely pies and cobblers:)

God be with thee!

Sister Lori

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.

Picture Tour of My Homestead

We have been getting out and working in the yard as much as we can this past week.  The yard needs lots of work yet - everything looks so wild and out of control.  I have these buttercups that take over EVERYWHERE - they are hard to keep up on.  I don't have a lawn at all, and we really don't want one.  Would rather have garden areas for flowers, shrubs, and edibles.  So, it is a work in process...any ideas are welcome!  We try to keep things looking natural - rock borders, etc. mostly because it is cheap  :o)

Our home is on five acres owned by my dad who runs a marine repair business and uses this property to store boats.  I have claimed more area as mine each year I've been here - now over 10.  Here is the house seen as you drive in the driveway.  We have been working in the side yard on the right to get things tidy - but it sure is hard when you lack storage space.

Here you can see the whole layout.  One of the big projects this summer will be to clean the log siding and get it sealed.  Sure looks bad when it is wet! 

On the left behind the trucks, is the future home of our chicken coop.  That big pile of dirt is getting moved and used around the property.  Then the coop will be on the left with a fenced area for them to run around when I'm not home.  I would like to be able to let them out and roam around when I am home.

Just beyond the dirt pile is my veggie garden.  I have peas, strawberries, potatoes, beets, red currents, raspberries planted and onions to go in (I got 1/4 planted tonight).  It is about 25' x 20'.

To the right of the garden we have our camper, which we could move to beyond the shed and open up this area - for more garden  :o)  Under the tarp is my chicken coop project.

To the right of the camper, I have four smaller raised beds.  They are about 2 1/2' by 4'.  I have zucchini, cabbage, carrots and radishes planted in them.  Then our little greenhouse is 8' x 8' which will hold our tomatoes and cucumbers.  The hill behind I tried to tame a bit - I've planted a rhodedendron and a cherry tree up there.  I get all my dirt from the hill for planting beds - talk about alot of work!  I have an area dug out that I think would be a great spot for a root cellar...one project at a time!

The rhubarb is doing well here.  The raspberries have moved themselves from the other side of the greenhouse - guess they wanted more sun. 

Tomatoes and cucumbers waiting to be planted:

To the right of the greenhouse, I have my compost piles - made out of pallets and I have one of the black plastic ones with a cover.  I put the kitchen scraps in the one with the cover so the dogs/bears don't get into it.  Leaves and other garden stuff go into the other 3 open bins.  The blue tarp is where our wood shed will be going - right now we are keeping our extra lumber there.

Okay, now we turn around and are looking at the side yard toward the front of the house and the driveway.  The road is on our left, parallel with the house.  Here is where we have been working on a new pathway, laying it out with the rock and filling it in with rock.  To try to keep the buttercups down, we layered sheets of newspaper under the rock.  We have the clothesline on pulleys from the back door to a tree - works well.  We have a bird feeder hooked up to a pulley so we can get it way up off the ground where the bears can't get to it, but it is easy to lower down to fill up.  The birds really love this area and it is so entertaining to watch them from the dining room window.

And now we are back to the front of the house and where we started!

On the other side of those trees, we have a little pond.  We get mallards, geese and eagles here.

Well, that's it for our place.  Thanks for looking  :o)

Oh my ~ no more #10 cans at MH...

Well, this certainly can't be good:

Mountain House #10 can page

I heard that perhaps later in the summer (maybe some time in July?) they may have them again. 

Well, perhaps this means some (sh)people are waking up?  But at the same time seeing that shortage/backlog is a bit disconcerting.

Just keep plugging away.  We need to be the ant and not the grasshopper.