A Sunny Place

Preparing a 30 Day Menu Using No Electricity

Good afternoon Family & Friends! I have been doing a lot of reading over at An Intentional Peasant's blog. She has been letting others know of ways to store food for future emergencies. Stockpiling your pantry is the name of the game. I myself have been wondering how to store food that can be used without using electricity.

 Being in a hurricane prone area,(and knowing that its been a long time coming for another major storm) I wanted to come up with a menu for at least 30 days that would allow me to feed my family.

Now, I have been able (most of the time) to do once a month shopping and get all of my needs. So, I have been able to keep at least a months supply of food on hand. It all requires using electricity to cook with as well as refridgeration/freezing. That's a good thing, but again I am looking to be able to prepare food for my family for at least 30 days electric free. I really pray that this will never happen though. I just want to be prepared.

During one of the last major hurricanes we had (which was about 10 years ago) we were without electricity for over a week. It was NO fun at all. I prepared poorly and needless to say, we ate junk food for over a week! Can you say YUCK! I never want to do that again. I couldn't wait to get some electricity just so we could have a HOT nutritious meal again.

So here I am now wanting to get started on this menu and what it will take to prepare at least one hot meal for my family if we get a hurricane this year.

If any of you have any ideas, PLEASE let me know. Maybe you could come up with your own menu using no electricity for 30 days. I'll post what I come up with once I get a plan set on paper. This is also going to help me, because I will need to start shopping for these supplies before the first threat of a hurricane comes to out area.

Have a blessed day in The Lord!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

A Rewarding Day! It's Time For Bed!

Good Evening Family and Friends! It has been a really busy day around here today. The children and I spent some much needed time out of the house today shopping. We started at the Mall (yuck!) and worked our way around to Wally World and the Dollar Tree.(it was DD's (17) idea to head to the mall.)

I needed to get some clothes for Dd (14) who will be going to visit her Grandma for a month or so next week. She has never been away from us for that amount of time and I am trying to act "grown up" about her decision. I know that she will have a great time visiting all of her cousins that she never gets to see and spending time with her Dad's Mom. I will just have to trust The Lord that He will keep her safe while away from me.

We also had a Homeschool Support meeting to attend today. I almost didn't make it in time. I left 2 bags of food at Wally World and had to drive 20 miles back to the store to get it. When I got there, they only had one bag. The cashier must have given the other bag ($12.00's worth) to another customer. )You can be sure that the next time, I will be a whole lot more mindful of where my groceries are at BEFORE I leave the store.

Anyway, I got off subject, back to the meeting. Only one other family showed up besides mine. With the exception of one family (thanks for letting me know.), I have no idea what happened to everyone else. We were suppose to plan our end of the year program. I am not sure what everyone wants to do. Prayerfully, I will be able to get a hold of everyone so we can make some plans.

I was blessed being able to talk with the one family that did come today. They are a couple who Homeschool their 5th grade son. They have been such an inspiration to me for these past 3 years. They have such an obvious love for The Lord. It shows in all that they say and do to others around them. Thank you Mr. E.K. and Mrs. Linda for being such a blessing in my family's life!

Having fellowship with like minded Christians who experience the same trials as you do is a blessing (not the trials, the fellowship) The Lord has blessed me with so many families to fellowship with. We get to share one another's burdens and pray for each other. It truly is a blessing that cannot be measured.

Well, as the picture I posted looks, so I feel right now. Its time to get ready for bed. Thank you Father for the day. Thank you for teaching me more about patience. Thank you Father for directing my paths and keeping them safe today. Thank you Father for Friends and Family!

To God Be The Glory, great things He has done and is still doing!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

A Day in My Life

A day in my life day, May 14th.  First of all it will not let me add pictures to my blog anymore..........it says not enough space.  I have missed sharing pictures and cute little art, not sure what I need to do different, any suggestions? 

Most entries are about my day anyway, but this is official on the 14th. 

Morning started out about 6:30, I am trying to get myself up a little earlier these days, striving for 6 this summer, this means I really need to go to bed earlier!  I have to check messages on here first thing, then for breakfast hubby had sausage biscuit sandwich and I had biscuits and gravy.  Then out to do morning chores which right now are..........feeding and watering the monster chickens, watering the hens, bunnies, feeding cats and dogs, and whatever else looks like they need attention.  Actually this morning I did a few more things as I knew I would not be home this evening, so I went ahead and fed hay, etc.  Came in for a few minutes and made a couple of phone calls.  I mulched the tomato plants, this year I put down feed sacks between each plant and then covered them with hay.  Seems like this will work well, we will see.  I hoped to set out some more tomatoes, but didn't get that far.  A friend had called this morning and wanted to come over this afternoon for her kids to see the critters and a visit, so needed to get in and get some lunch.  Sandwiches~Simple!  She came and we had a nice visit, I should add here that it was the most beautiful day here..........not cold, not hot, not windy and not raining...........what more could you ask for!!  If we could have about 2 weeks of weather like this everyday I might get caught up outdoors.  As she was leaving, a friend stopped by to get some eggs.  Then back to work.  Hubby  used the weedeater for the first time this year, I pulled some weeds here and there, planted a few flowers and watered the ones planted yesterday.  We moved things around on our little patio area and cleaned it up.  Watered the garden, hubby borrowed a sprayer from our neighbor and sprayed around buildings, etc.  I finished chores  while he did this. All of a sudden it is time to go in and get cleaned up.  Our ladies Bible study group met tonight, we had a nice turn out.  On the way I stopped at a friends house to pick up a goat halter for grandson to use showing this summer, she has a Show supply business.   Then home to put the monster chickens to bed and water them one more time today.  Hubby was on his own for supper, I had a delicious brownie at our meeting, then a snack when I got home.   As you have seen, food was not a priority on this really nice work outside as much as you can day!  That is about it for the day......  It is 11pm and I am going to try to get to bed soon.  Oh one bit of good news, Snowball the kitty was home this morning.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Finally Getting In The Garden

Ok this is my second try at posting...my pc is eating my posts today. 

Our spring started of with 2 weeks of nice hot weather and ever since then it's been cool and rainy.  So I'm just now starting to get into the garden.  

I'm working on the shady garden right now.  This is my patch on top of the hill that boarders a pine bush.  I've found it to be a wonderful place to grow cooler crops in the summer heat.  Cabbage, broccoli, and lettuce seem to love it especially and keeps them from bolting.  It has just one problem...It's infested with cleavers!  If you have never seen cleavers they can be a useful herb but NOT in the vegetable garden!  They are very invasive, choking out everything in it's path.  It's leaves are covered in sticky hairs that rip your arms like velcro when you try to weed them out.  So this year I'm trying something new, fabric mulch! 

Yesterday it wasn't raining so I got two rolls put down and planted some of our cabbage, celery and lettuce.  I hope to finish covering the garden with it soon and get some bark mulch on top to.

Cabbage

Celery

Lettuce

real short update

Hey  Everyone!!! I am planning to start online school soon and Major in Criminal Justice Degree and then a little over a year from now I will be moving out west. Please pray that I get accepted into Portland State University to continue and further my education...

Blessings,

Alyssa

This and That Tuesday

It was a quiet Mothers Day here.  Mom came out for dinner and a nice visit in the afternoon.  I visited with some of the kids by phone through the afternoon and evening. 

Monday morning I took Mom  to an eye Dr. appointment.  She has been having treatments for a year now, she gets an injection in her eye.........I can't stand the thought of it, but she doesn't seem to mind.  I am sure she doesn't look forward to it, but doesn't complain! At first it was every month but now is once every 3 months.   Usually it is about 3 hours, but this time we were out of there in 1 1/2 hours.  She has to take it easy the rest of the day following the treatment.

This morning hubby went to pick up some small hay bales.  He said I didn't need to go along as there would be some guys there to help him load it...........well when he got home he said all that was there was a pregnant lady!  While he was gone I made some meatloaf, I put it in 3 small loaf pans, baked one today and put the other 2 in the freezer.  That is just the right amount for the two of us for a meal.  I also started some veggie soup........I know it isn't soup season, but I had wanted to make one more pot full.  I had several things in the freezer for soup and wanted to get some of them used up. 

This afternoon I set out some petunias,  I had not planted any flowers yet.  I need to get busy, May is half over already!   Each year I say I am not going to plant so many flowers around the house, but I always do.  I really enjoy them, not so much in July when they have to be watered every day, but it is worth it!   Also have quite a few tomato plants to be set in the garden yet.  It looked like rain all day, but didn't get any.

We are on the countdown for the chickens..........a week from today they will be processed!!  I hope it doesn't rain for a week, their pen is such a mess when it is muddy, and the smell........... (think pigs)

Sad note, we are missing a cat today, sure hope Snowball is back tomorrow! 

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Another Reason For Wheat Prices To Rise?

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2008/me_iran0128_05_13.asp- Another reason to make the price of wheat go higher? What say you?

Blessings on all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

Cool Weather, Strawberry Jam & Getting Ready For A Graduation

 Good Morning Friends & Family! It is such a cool morning here. It's 48 degrees outside, and I have my windows open. I know that it will warm up really fast once the sun is all the way up. I am just enjoying this cool weather while it lasts. I know that summer will soon be upon us and I will have to close those windows in favor of the AC. I had to turn the AC on for 2 days last week while making the strawberry jam. It was so hot and humid. A taste of things to come.

I am finished with the strawberry jam for this year. I ended up with 71 pint jars of jam. They all set up really well with the exception of about 5 jars. I will use those for ice cream toppings or for the topping on a home made yellow cake. (that sounds yummy!)

I had wanted to do 150 jars. That's not going to happen. I have more than enough to use until the next year. The best part was that I only had to pay for 17 pounds of strawberries. The other 50-70 pounds were FREE. It was a lot of work picking through the ones hubby bought home, but FREE is a good thing when I figure that I would have had to pay $95 for 70 lbs. of berries. Now, I may end up making some more later on this week if hubby gets some more. I just need a break for this week with the canning.

DD is getting really excited about graduation. She will be graduating on May 24th at the State Homeschool Convention. She has her cap and gown and the "graduation" dress all ready to wear. We will be going up to the convention on May 22nd-the 25th. We are all looking forward to ending the school year with a graduation.

There have been so many times that I doubted what I was doing when it came to Homeshooling my children. I know that The Lord led me this way. It just gets hard when there are not many others around you who can even partly understand the "whys" of Homeschooling. I just keep looking to my Savior and He keeps me focused. (We walk by FAITH, NOT by sight!)

Well, I need to go and get the kiddies up and at em' We have a full fay of school planned as well as the usual household duties.

To God be the glory for allowing me to do His work through His strength. NEVER mine!

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

Time for a Chat with Dear Friends......

Dearest Readers,

My how I have missed you!  It has been quite busy here at Honey Hill Farm, with two of our Darlings graduating within a week of one another! 

First, I must update you on our Darling Girl....She attended her Graduation in a wheelchair!  The poor thing dislocated her knee right before her Nurses' Pinning ceremony on Friday, May 2nd.  She had gone to the store to pick-up a card for a Professor she wanted to thank, and suddenly she was on the floor of the store and they were calling an ambulance!  She was taken to a nearby hospital and I met her in the emergency room.  Of course, we fully expected to be there for the better part of the evening, and had even called to let her friends know that she most likely would not be attending the ceremony.  Well, it turns out that our Dear Girl had worked as a student with some of the staff on duty that night....they told her that they would NOT let her miss such an important event!  We were only in the emergency room for 2 hours!  We went straight to the Pinning Ceremony....crutches, hospital pants, and ID bracelet! A memorable evening to be sure.

Meanwhile, the lovely staff of the University arranged everything from parking for our family and a wheelchair, to a private usher to wheel her around during the Graduation Ceremony!  Our Daughter was so blessed to have attended a wonderful Jesuit University....the Holy Spirit is truly alive there! 

Our Darling Son's Graduation was no less eventful as the winds howled and the temperatures dropped.  The bunting was ripped off of the the stage while the beautiful flower arrangements toppled to the ground below.  Large speakers fell over, narrowly missing students!  Wisely, the administration shortened the ceremony and we all went willingly to our warm homes to celebrate.

All in all, it was a fun day, with friends and family sharing good food and memories of our two Graduates.

I must close now, but I should now have time to visit with you more often.

Yours kindredly,

Shan

Photo:  Just a few "School Days" decorations put out to commemorate the event!

Praise Him in the Storms

We are doing alright here.
We still don't know what's going on with the finances.
My family is in the midst of planning my grandfather's memorial service.
I am to be writing the obituary.
And we're leaving in a few days for our trip to the Creation Museum.
So I guess I will continue to be scarce in my postings.
No menu plan to post today as we are going to be leaving soon and are working at eating leftovers.
Mr. Steady was able to purchase 3 doz. eggs last week for 99 cents/doz. So we've been eating a lot of egg dishes plus we received some free bread last week.
A friend of mine is astonished at how I can feed my family so cheaply and her husband has asked Mr. Steady and I to share how we do it.
The last few days have indeed been difficult but there have been good times too. I am  thankful for God holding us up through it all. I know that the God who ushered my grandfather into heaven is the God of my finances and He will see us  through. Something else--- as a surprise combined Mother/Father's day present- my parents bought us a new-to-us couch and love seat. Our couch was in deplorable condition and of course, financially we really couldn't do much about it. We had put some foam padding under the cushions and a slipcover over it . . . . but my Mama the Goodwill Shopping Queen got a real sweet deal (and used a 20% off coupon).
I am reminded that this is yet another affirmation that the good Lord is watching over us and seeing us through.
Throughout the weekend and today I've been whispering, "No matter what, I WILL praise you. No matter what, I WILL praise you." I listened to Casting Crowns' Praise You In The Storm this weekend and I was again reminded that I serve a God that is bigger than any storm that comes my way. I may get knocked down but I will not be defeated. I have the Lord on my side.

A thought for today:
The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you.

Amen.