Homemaking Homesteader

Happy July 4th!

Happy July 4th

What a day of celebration!  I think specifically this year as we see things changing in our country, it takes me back to our roots.  If you would like to read the Declaration of Independence, you can do that here:

www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm

Or, maybe you would prefer to hear and see it read on you tube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYyttEu_NLU

I want to personally thank each and every veteran who has served our country.  Your sacrifice, your bravery, your dedication has kept our country free.  We have freedoms to vote, to protest, to live as we want, to work hard, to enjoy entertainment, to worship God in the way each of us has chosen, etc.   

There is no country as great as ours, however, if we are not careful, we will lose those freedoms.  So, let's set aside a little time today to remember our founding father's and what they truly gave us on July 4, 1776.  May God's hand be on and bless America!

Praying for the Sun to Make an Appearance Today!!!

Happy Birthday America!!!!  Let's all cheer for the Red, White and Blue!!!  I love the Fourth of July, and the cookouts, family gatherings, and fireworks.  But this year, we aren't sure if there is going to be much fireworks.  We might be able to still arrange the cookout, and just eat indoors.  But is is difficult to celebrate with fireworks when it is raining!!  UGH!  The weather reports aren't sure if the rain will stop before sunset and the big firework displays or not.  DARN IT! 

Matthew took off earlier this morning with our Noah, 3 years old, to pick out some fireworks.  We always wait until the 4th to buy ours because of the wonderful sales they hold the day of.  He alsos picked up some sausage and milk on the way home for our breakfast....sausage gravy and biscuits!!  YUMMY!  He even made breakfast for us.  Matthew never cooked (except for Hamburger Helper) until he met me.  LOL  Now he is the breakfast expert and won't let me in the kitchen when he is making pancakes or his specialty of biscuits and gravy. 

The rest of the day we are going to hang out, relax (finish putting away laundry, do a few dishes) and just enjoy having daddy home!   Tonight we are going to my brother's house for a cookout (possibly cook in...depending on the whether), and then back to town for the city wide fireworks display.  I am looking forward to seeing my family today.  We are all so busy, and it seems working schedules conflict that we don't get together more often.  Looking forward to seeing how big my neice Megan is getting with her first pregnancy.  She is due in October, and I am sure she isn't much bigger than her little frame was before, but maybe a tiny bit. 

Matthew's family is all scattered this weekend.  We made a comment last night that if everyone wasn't gone, we would have loved to get them all together at our house this weekend.  Oh well.  His parents church is having a 3 day meeting, his sister lives in Washington,DC area and unable to come home, and his other sister, her hubby and 5 year old daughter just started their 5 day trek back to Missouri from California and today.  They visited Sea World, Disney, etc. and had lots of fun.  I can't wait to hear about their trip!

Americas Birthday!

Awwww

July 4th

Happy 4th! and Making Herbal Vinegars

Wow, I can not believe it is already July.  The summer is going by quickly.  I sure hope you all enjoy the day with your families. 

We will go see fireworks this evening with another family or two.  Since the kids and I are going out of town on Monday (Kids NJ and me NC) we still have much to get done around the house and yard today.  Dh and ds need to move some wood to the wood pile from a tree I had taken down this week.  Then they will mow, I might help with that so we can finish quickly.  But my help consist of mowing on the riding mower...not a tough job.

We will have a nice dinner of marinated chicken on the grill.  Can't celebrate the 4th without the grill.

I have gotten alot done the past few days.  Esp. with the weeding.  That is a never ending chore.  Even with mulch, the weeds find a way to creep through.  They are clever little plants!

Yesterday I harvested some herbs to make herbal vinegars.  I want to take a couple down to my mother and sister next week.  They are so easy to make and look so pretty out on the screened porch soaking up the sun. 

This one is tarragon in white wine vinegar
And this is dill and peppercorn in red wine vinegar.

Herbal vinegars make great gifts.  I look for inexpensive bottles at the thrift stores or Walmart.  So the cost for the gift is relatively low.  And they make great use of all my herbs that are needing to be harvested.

Well, I had better get going....much to do today.

Have a Day Full of Blessings!
Lori

4th of July!!!

Happy birthday America!!!!
What a grand place to live!!!


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We had a pitch in last night at work, which was fun.. we all ate until we thought we would pop from gluttony! LOL!
I do love my co workers, and I do love my job, but I miss being at home so very much. Being at home for my children and grandchildren. DH and I discussed it, and after this year, we are both slowing down. Taking time to "smell the roses" per say. I have absolutely NO free time this summer, due to school, work and other obligations, and DH has been trying to work extra to keep the house going, prepare for winter, and work a bit of overtime himself to get us out of a financial bind we've gotten ourselves into....
One exciting breakthrough is that...... although the financial *crash* time is almost here, we have enough money to pay the bill that is owed and we won't be garnisheed! YIPEE!  God is soooo good.....

He does certainly provide us with what we need whenever the time arises, and we also have to trust in Him to provide understanding in yet another delimma. (We're full of 'em here!)

A friend of the family (friend... I use that term loosely) decided last night to verbally attack our daughter and son in law. Simply because our son in law did not agree with this person's political views.
I have personally been attacked twice by this person, and choose not to have any further dealings with him based on this fact, but now to have my child attacked too? I am angry to say the least, and wonder what kind of venom is going to be spewed forth this time? How long until he comes crawling back begging forgiveness and promising to never do it again this time? Will our daughter accept an apology (I don't think so)? Will this person MEAN it IF he does apologize?
Isn't there a verse, "For out of the mouth the heart speaketh?"

Here it is... I found it:
Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Huh.

Guess now we know how he really feels (and has felt) about us all the while..... but that's ok.  We still have each other, and always will. We're a family. A true family.

And again..... as we celebrate the unity of America on this day (One nation, under GOD, indivisible).... we can also celebrate the unity of a family (One nation, under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic
for which it stands,
one nation
under God
indivisible
with liberty
and justice for all....

On this Day

Patriotic Fruit Pizza

Patriotic Fruit Pizza

1 (16 1/2 oz.) pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 C of sugar, divided
2 T of cornstarch
1/2 C of orange juice
1/4 C of lemon juice
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
1 T of milk
1 t orange peel, grated
2/3 C of heavy whipping cream
1 apple, peeled and sliced thin
1 1/2 C of fresh strawberries, halved
1 C seedless dark purple grapes, halved
1 banana, sliced thin
1 C of fresh raspberries
1/2 C of fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the cookie dough and let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.

Carefully spread the dough onto an ungreased pizza pan. Bake the dough 15 minutes or until a golden brown. Remove and allow the dough to cool on the pan.

Dump half of the sugar into a small saucepan. Add the cornstarch and toss slightly to combine. Pour the orange and lemon juice into the mixture.

Place the pan over medium heat bringing the mixture to a steady boil.
Continue boiling for 2 minutes stirring constantly then remove the pan from the heat, setting aside to cool. Cube the cream cheese and place in a large mixing bowl. Pour the milk over the cream cheese. Add the orange peel and the remaining sugar. Beat the mixture until blended together well and smooth.

Place the whipping cream into a small mixing bowl. Beat the whipping cream until soft peaks begin to form. Fold the whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture until blended in well. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Place the apple slices around the outside edge of the crust.

Next layer the strawberry halves around the crust. Circle the halved grapes on next. Add the bananas to the ring. Place the raspberries onto the crust next. Finish the ring with the blueberries. Spread the reserved glaze evenly over the all the fruit. Place covered in the refrigerator for about 1 hour or until chilled.

Makes 12 servings

Preparation Time: approximately 30 minutes