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LAUNDRY DETERGENT 16 C water. 1 Bar Fels Naptha 1 C baking soda 1 1/2 C Borax. Boil water add borax, Baking soda and shredded fels naptha. Whisk well and whisk as it cools. Pour into pitcher. Add some essential oil. I usually ad about 15 drops of "fresh' essential oil. This will thicken the next day; simply stir with wooden spoon or whisk. I usually use about 1/3 per load. It cleans well and smells nice and clean Enjoy |
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HOME MADE SOUR CREAM: 2 Cups 1/2 1/2 1/4 buttermilk (I use homemade) Put all in a hot jar. Shake well and place in a warm spot for 24-48 hours. Mine usually thickens real well within 1 day. Place in fridge. This is really delicious, easy and not expensive. Enjoy!! |
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Nutrition Changes: This has been a journey of mine for several years, and really can put much of it in practice now. With buliding a house and moving a few times and being in a small rental it was unpractical to put much of this in practice. For someone who would like to start implementing nutritious changes for their health I would suggest starting really small.I have the Nourishing Traditions a few times. it can be overwhelming but again think small. Some of the changes I have implemented and continued to do are; making my own chicken stock, making my own sour cream (so easy and inexpensive) making my own laundry detergent, making furniture polish, general cleaner, dishwasher detergent, homemade buttermilk,, sourdough starter, homemade bread (have not bought bread now for 8 months). I did not try and do all these one day or one week I have implemented them over the 9 months we have moved into our house. Once you get used to one thing and do it regularly try something else. Be prepared for a few failures and tweaking.But do not overwhelm yourself or think you cannot do this. You Can!!!! Some of the things I still want to add are' kefi, homemade yougurt, kombucha, vegetable stock and beef stock. i know there are many other things. As I continue on my herbal studies I learn more and more also. I am growing many herbs and have used them sporadically and now will dry them and make infusions, teas and so forth. Blessings to all Cyndi "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way" Psalm 25:9 |
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Well is everyone tired of politics at this point? it has been something> Sarah Palin now that is enough to bring out the best or worst in Christians so far. By all accounts she is a very devout Christian, equally devoted to her family; which includes a pregnant 17 year old daughter and a special needs new born son. Wow and she is VP nominee. Now whether I think a woman should be in office is beside the point. It is not up to me to decide whether she should be home full time with her son or casting stones at her because her daughter is pregnant. i think as Christians we need to believe that God has her in the role for a reason and leave it at that and be supportive. It is not our place to judge whether she should be the VP nominee or whether any woman should. Historically there have been women in high authority places. Let God decide these things. I do think McCain was super smart is choosing her though. I do respect her and her family and stand on many issues. If elected I pray some of the changes will come to our country that I think will. Pray carefully before you vote , read the bible about your decision. That is just my small voice Blessings Cyndi |
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Hello all:
Have cleared out some shelves and thought I would try to sell some very good quality books and curriculum to help offset this years books!!! Americas' Christian Heritage by Gary Demar $6.00
Field Guide to H.S. Christine Field ex. $8.00
Survivor's Guide to H.S. Shackleford and White $7.50
Organizing Thinking Book 2 Sandra Parks and Howard Black BRAND NEW $20.00 (paid $40.00)
Pilgrims @ Plymouth Landmark books $4.00
Abeka America Land I love test and key (grade 8) both $15.00
Chrsitian Cottage Unit Studies Vol 1 in the Beginning God,, $40.00
Studying God's word book G w/ estra teachers manule Brand NEW $12.00 (both)
How to write a research report (grade 3-6) $5.25
Abeka Literature OF PLACES teacher key and tests, quizzes both $10.50
Bob Jones Algebra 1 tests 2nd ed $5.50
Thanks for looking- please e-mail with questions or to purchase
Blessings
Cyndi |
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Littlest Princess School plan for the fall Logic ( warm-ups) Home Ec - I did purchase a book to follow loosly Health - Apologia Science - Apologia Physical Science (will be taking that with our homeschool group) Vocab- Vocab from Classic Roots Writing - Writing Strands - 7 Latin - Latin Christiana Math- Saxon Algebra 1 with daily DVD's ( this should help!) P.E. - swing dance weekly, walks, and pilates Literature - living books along with biographies Music - piano ; lessons weekly, and practice daily study the classical pianists Current Events -- Make notebook and record in it 2 times a week Art -- nature book along with fine arts That should be it - we are combining some Charlotte Mason theory along with Classical studies and of course my own ideas thrown in there. This is a year I would like her to fill in her free time with productive activities and really learn to be in charge of her own schedule. Blessings Cyndi |
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Day to Day life around our little homestead has been off schedule due to summer!! i have spent more time driving as hubby has flown for a business meeting; my mom flies home after a summer away and our oldest comes home from Alaska sometime(ahem!!) this weekend. But I have been steadily working on the "fall' schedule. Without the unexpected of real estate clients I feel comfortable really planning a good solid weekly schedule. Even though gas prices have dropped abit (around $3.98 in our part of the country) I still will only plan to go to town twice during the week and once on Sunday for church. On our little farm; we have lost 1 rooster and 4 chickens. Sad as I think we lost some good layers. We are down to 9 chickens but only getting about 2 -3 eggs a day. That is not much considering how much we are feeding them.Maebelle did have her babies; two. One did not make it and the other; a little guy is thriving quite well. we cannot believe how fast he is growing. Such a cutie. We play with him alot; Maebelle follows us around; bleating as she goes. The squirrels totally destroyed our garden; gone ; everything. So we have squirrel traps on the way and our neighbor told us about a safe spray that apparently keeps them away.. I have planted several herbs in pots around the front and back of the house. I will start drying some soon; will help with my herbalist studies.I froze some fresh basil in ice cube trays and worked beautifully. I have several sewing projects started and several more planned. I am slowly getting all the windows covered in the house. Still continuing with bread baking. Did get a grain mill and tried my first batch with that. it is STILL rising!!! Do not really know what that is about? now making our own sour cream, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent furniture polish and general cleaner, and of course hang the laundry outside!!! Keep trying to incorporate more things in my schedule as they come up!! Blessings to all Cyndi "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God" Colossians 1:10 |
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Have you ever felt God call you in Faith to something that to the world would not make sense? And it seems scary in a way? I am really feeling God calling us to drastically change our lifestyle in a big way. To the world it would not make sense but I feel strongly about it.I know God always takes care of us and His ways are not always our ways. Or even ways that we totally understand. This is kind of a short rambling, but I have been praying so much about this and just needed to put some thoughts down on words. Will continue to pray and update as we come to any new decisions. Cyndi "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying This is the way walk in it" Isaiah 30:21 |
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MENUS Chicken stuffed with feta and basil Quiche homemade pizza Grilled steak homemade mac n cheese w/ chicken sausage Salmon Tacos Stuffed pitas Some sides this week are; grilled asparagus, quinoia salad, grilled zucchini, green salad w/ vegies, caesar salad, cucumber tomatoe salad, homemade sourdough bread Blessings Cyndi "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way" Psalm 25:9 |
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Well more changes as we settle more and more in our new 'farm life. I have been a "part time " real estate agent for four years now. With moving out to the country and prices of gas it has been difficult. Combine that with the sloooow real estate market. It just did not seem to make sense to keep my license active. But wait , pray about it right? So I have been praying for several months. I felt the Lord nudging me to "retire" for this season. I had some very special clients that I wanted to see them through to their next location. But the market did not cooperate. So finally it seemed time to retire. It actually is a very peaceful feeling, as I have felt the Lord leading me this way for several months. Sad to go in the office and pack up my desk but nevertheless a peaceful feeling when I am following the Lord's plan for my life. I have ordered curriculum to begin studies for master herbalist. It is through a Christian program; many of them are not. This is really much more fitting for me. So we shall see how this works. It will really be helpful for here on our homestead. I told my oldest daughter and she laughed and laughed and said where has that program been your whole life Mom? We have been going to a new church now for about 6-7 weeks and it feels like home. It is pretty small, but everyone is so friendly. I get so much out of the pastor's sermon every week. He has been in the book of James the last couple weeks. Good stuff!!It got me thinking how much of worldly ways I have let go of since we moved into our house. No baby goats yet!! Look ready any day now!!! I have the dehydrator full of apricots and made 4 and 1/2 quarts of apricot jam yesterday. What a good feeling. We have many squirrels and some gophers starting to attack our garden. Any ideas out there ? Also the best way to keep tomatoe worms out of the garden? Blessings to all on this beautiful Monday Cyndi "Then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love being one in spirit and purpose" Philippians 2:2 |
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MENUS FOR THE WEEK Pesto over pasta with grilled chicken chicken Enchiladas Crusty Fettucini puff Taco Salad Chicken Caesar Salad with homemade sourdough bread Chicken Picante Grilled steak with grilled asparagus Some of sides we have with dinners are: fresh green salad, sliced fruit, cut up vegies(with hummus), homemade refried beans, rice pilaf, grilled vegies, dinner rolls, sourdough bread(all homemade), caesar salad Blessings Cyndi Philippians 2:2 "Then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in the spirit and purpose" |
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Hello All: Just a little update here at our homestead.Our garden is growing well and we are pleased with how God has blessed it. This is our first attempt at a garden here in our new home. We will enlarge the garden area in the fall. We have little bit by little bit getting a few more things done. Hubby put in some nesting boxes with the chickens, whew what a difference. Those chickens love them, hopefully that will help with some of the problems we have been having. He also built some feeders for the goats so poor little Maebelle does not always have to compete with Daisy for food. We need to replant part of their area to bring in more vegetation and bugs, etc. Our little grassy area out back is coming in nicely, thanks to a wonderful blessing from some dear friends. An amazing rototiller!! Hubby just loves it and is amazed by such a wonderful gift. I have started on curtains for the house, and am finishing up two more rooms. have lots of sewing projects planned, and is so nice to have my sewing corner where I can just go and work for a short time, shut the door and move on. Still making all our family's bread. Will order a grain attachment this week for my kitchen aid. Have a few buckets. I know, I know wheat prices are out of control. Still must be better than buying flour each week. Have made several quarts of strawberry jam, boysenbery jam and some strawberry preserves(delicious on belgian waffles). Have frozen several bags of strawberries and plan on doing the same for boysenberries. There is more I am sure. Will update later with menus for the week. I have kind of gotten out of the habit of that. Blessings to all Cyndi Provers 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." |
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Tonight our littlest princess goes from an 8th grader to a high schooler (gasp!!) We have homeschooled this year through a private Christian school and she will participate in their graduation ceremony. She is so excited.It is so hard to believe that she is really a high schooler and then what!! We have a party at some friends nearby the school afterwards so it should be a good time of celebrating. We have lots to do today before we leave. We also have guests this weekend and must get the house ready for our guests coming tomorrow. Have a blessed weekend Cyndi 2Timothy 2:19 - God's solid foundation stands firm" |
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Hi all:
Update on bread recipe; this recipe is so adaptable. I generally use King Arthurs (I don't have a grinder yet) flour and mix whole wheat and their white. Sometimes I add oatmeal. This is the only bread we use. It works real well for sandwiches; I was surprised. My family likes the taste of "white ' sourdough; so sometimes I use very little of the whole wheat and no honey or maple syrup. It is very similiar taste to the sourdough in bakeries. I would start out with half and half with the flour and then if you want straight whole wheat; just slowly start adding more and more whole wheat to get the texture and taste you want. Enjoy
Cyndi |
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Hi All: here is a good basic all around bread recipe. it can be adapted for many different types of bread. I adapted it from Candy at keepingthehome. She has some amazing recipes. Here it is: 2 cups homemade starter 2 cups homemade buttermilk dash salt 2 TB softnened butter 1/3 cup maple syrup ( I sometimes use 1/2 honey) about 8 cups flour (I sometimes add some oatmeal) MiX all ingredients but flour. I use my kitchen aid and it works fantastic. Then slowly add the flour in. I switch to my dough hook when it is starting to look dough like. Let your dough hook do the work ; if you have one. Turn out onto floured surface; knead for several minutes, should be pretty elastic. Roll up and put in oiled bowl. Punch down and make sure smooth surface is on top. Let dough double in size. Punch down one more time ; place in oiled bread pans. Let rise again. It works really well to let rise the second time overnight. Bake at 425 for ten minutes, then 350 for 45 minutes. Homemade starter; one cup of flour with one cup of water. Add the same everyday for 7 days. Leave in a dark place. Once you have your starter made; you can leave in the fridge and just add one cup of flour and water each day. Homemade buttermilk; 1/4 cup storebought buttermilk with one quart milk. Let sit in a dark place for 2 days. Then put in the fridge. This bread can be easily adapted to cinamon rolls, dinner rolls, etc. Have fun with it> Blessings Cyndi |
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Hi All; It has been a while. It has been busy around here. But the biggest news was getting our oldest daughter off to Alaska for the summer. She arrived Saturday evening; made all connections smoothly and today is at work teaching pre-schoolers (her passion) God was so evident is getting her to Alaska along with her roommate. So even though we will miss ; know this was where God wanted her for the summer and she will be BACK!!! She and her roommate finished their spring semester at college, our daughter sold her car, they packed, they cleaned their apartment, and they sublet their apartment (on the last day possible) Another way God paved the way for them. So it will be fun to journey along with her summer in Alaska. We are finishing up the school year with Allison and making plans for her high school years. Already, how did that happen? Our little farm is doing good, chickens are producing about 8-10 eggs a day. Roosters are behaving themselves so far.......goats are fine. Daisy is quite the stubborn one, bucks anything that comes near her; (not us though) bucks the chickens, roosters, Mabelle our pregnant goat. We got our garden planted. So far we have about 12 tomatoe plants, 12 pepper plants, row of sunflowers, radishes, cucumbers, squash, pumpkin, watermelon, eggplant, onion, and a nice row of sweet pea plants that will grow up the front of the fence. Our tomatoes are growing like crazy. We are looking forward to it, it has been three years since we have been able to grow a garden. Last week I made strawberry jam and froze four bags of strawberries. Want to do one more batch of strawberry preserves and do boysenberry jam and freeze some for pies. How about you all; how is your garden growing, what have you been preserving, or baking, or storing up in your pantry? Cyndi Matthew 12:30 "he who is not with me is against me and he who does not gather with me scatters" Blessings |
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Hello all: well rice seems to be all over the news!! people hoarding rice; who oever would have thought of such a thing!? Got me to thinking about some of the ways i believe I have helped our food budget since moving in. We have not bought of a loaf of bread for three months. Have an "amazing " recipe. Have learned to tweak a few things here and there, and worked it into my routine weekly. We love it. I also make my own starter and buttermilk.We use EVERYTHIING in the fridge. We are really stocking our pantry again. We could seriously eat for many months from the freezer and the pantry. We still don't have a big freezer yet but that will come. We have started our garden plot and should have a pretty good sized plot here real soon. Hopefully will be enough to "put some up" for the winter. I would love to dry tomatoes, and make salsa and marinara sauce, pickles, and many other things. So what do you all do to save money on food. I do think pantry preparation and stocking works real well. Luckily for us we do not live close to a grocery store so are forced into that. I have done this for years anyway. Don't let anything go to waster. Use what you have , keep a full stocked pantry. When you run out of a can or chicken put it on your list for next time into the grocery store. Same thing goes for necessities such as t.p. toothpaste, shampoo,etc. Keep some extra around and get an extra one next time in the store. You will be stocked up before you know it. Let us share ideas and help each other. I plan meals weekly with what we have in the fridge or what I plan to get in the store. I keep a stocked pantry so I always have the ability to make several kinds of meals at all times. Keep baking items in the pantry. Use up those bananas, zucchini's, etc. This new "rice"crisis is something we can all use to help each other!! Love to hear from you Blessings Cyndi |
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Hello all: Well for the first time in three years (moving and building) we will have a garden this year. hooray!!! Spent some time today getting the fence just about done, then planted seeds in peat pots and got some additives for the soil. i am so excited. We have basil, cilantro, lettuce, two kinds of peppers, green and red bell peppers, summer squash, watermelon, pumpkin cucumber. I think that may be it. i got some sweet pea flowers to climb on the fence . How pretty will that be?. We also got a few more annuals for the front porch. It is going to be so cute when done> Our menu for the week: Pot roast w/potatoes, carrrots, and snap peas. BBQ beef sandwiches. Fish Goulash, Chicken pot pie. I have several sewing projects ready to go! Should have curtains ready for the den soon. Just about done with those. In the middle of making three aprons, curtains for bedroon, the dining room and the guest room. I will leave you with "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails"Proverbs 19:21. have a good evening Cyndi |
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Hello All:
As we are in spring, thinking about summer and then of course fall..............I am thinking, praying, studying and researching high school for our youngest. i realize that wow in four years she will be an "adult" out of school by the world standards and on her own (of course according to world standards)/ So now what do we do for her high school years? I want it to be a time of becoming who she is, learning, and most of all of enjoying this time. I do want a curriculum , with some planning but not too rigid.With this said ; it will be a homeschooling plan but which one? We have homeschooled her since her third grade year and feel very strongly that is His leading for her high school years also.
If anyone has thoughts or ideas, or what really workeed for them please pass it on. On to Thursday: this is always a stay at home day. Hooray. This is office day, laundry, clean and tidy the mudroom, organize the fridge, make bread, clean 1/2 the windows, sewing. Take a walk, and do a short pilate DVD. I will also continue my research on the "high school " plan! It is a beautiful day here in the mountains of California. Enjoy your day everyone Blessings
Cyndi |
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Customer Service;
That is what they call it, right? I had a very frustrating day; filing, going through paperwork, making a list of the bills, doing correspondence, making calls where needed. EXCEPT you cannot ever get anything done. You cannot ever talk with anyone who can help, and if they automatically deduct your payment; well just know it is going to keep happening because of course that is the way it is . Bills seems always wrong, and you cannot ever right them. So you have to wonder is your time really worth all the aggravation and TIME. That must be what they figure.
Now my question, how do you keep and meek and quiet Christian spirit through all this? I just figured today something is really really wrong with the world, if people have to go through this regulary. Just want a quiet life in the country with the farm animals, cook a nice meal for my family, do some sewing...... Well there is tomorrow.
Good Evening Cyndi |