Wanna Be a Steader!

What Does 'Keeper of the Home' Mean to You?

I was asked this question on an e-mail list I'm on.  My answer is below...I would LOVE to know what YOU think!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Myself, I have to include homeschooling in my personal definition…as I am a homeschool mom.  I consider it both a vocation and a ministry. 

I consider being a keeper of my home as having a finger-print on everything in the home.  If you were to look around my home you would see decorations I’ve made, cross-stitches I’ve labored over, flowers I’ve arranged, furniture I’ve refinished w/my dad, curtains and pictures I’ve hung, antique tins I’ve collected and displayed.  You would smell food I’ve either just taken out of the oven or that I’m cooking for a coming meal, soap laying out to season, herbs in my windowsill.  You might hear music circulating through the house from any one of our rooms, birds singing through the newly washed windows, the laughter of my wonderful daughters as they lean their heads together for a bit of girl talk or when they’re joking around with my hubby and me. 

When I think of a keeper of the home…I think of a mother’s attitude guided by the Lord so that she can keep it all in order.  As a keeper of the home we can – for good or bad – demonstrate that old saying “If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”  If “Momma” has let the Lord help her to keep her home, then even though we live in a fallen world,  peace will reign, order will be found and love will be felt.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Bring Your Children HOME WHERE THEY BELONG!!

As many of you know, I have been the Miami County Ohio homeschool coordinator for the past 11 years.  I will officially 'pass the torch' on May 20th to a very capable, dedicated homeschool mom.  One of the most important and busiest duties that I had was starting new homeschoolers on their adventure.  And that was one of my my favorites parts.  But...when receiving those calls - especially from parents whose kids were already in public school - I have heard some of the sadest, scariest, most maddening stories along the way. 

And as many of you may know, I am the regular Wednesday contributor on HomeschoolBlogger.com's "Home Where They Belong"/publisher's blog.  Today, I read a new entry by Tammy, a new contributor to HWTB, and she, also, has heard those terrible stories about what REALLY goes on in the public schools from parents wanting to start homeschooling...NOW.  I thought you would be interested in a comment I left to her entry: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TOSPUBLISHER/529767/

Thank you, Tammy...for being one more voice concerning what is REALLY going on in public schools and the problems that parents share with homeschoolers.  On May 20th I will wrap up 11 years as our county's homeschool coordinator and I, too, have heard all those heart-wrenching stories about what students (AND PARENTS) go through -- NOT just from other students -- BUT from teachers, "advisors," principals, superintendents and other administrators! 

And, like you, I have also noticed a SHARP increase of parents taking older students out of ps, and at anytime during the year.  It used to be that the bigger influx of "I want to take my kid(s) out of ps NOW!" calls came during Christmas break (or "Winter Break" in ps).  NOW...they come at a fairly steady clip ALL YEAR LONG.  I JUST had a mom of a 9th grader start homeschooling last week!  Last year I had a mom start homeschooling with 3 weeks to go in her district and another mom called to take her son out with ONE WEEK to go in her district!! 

Public schools are so far 'gone' and they will NEVER be the same.  They are NOT the place for children to be - especially Christian children.  DO NOT fall for the lie that Christian children need to be in the public school to evanelize...God NEVER sent children to evanalize...NEVER.  SEND CHRISTIAN TEACHERS but NOT kids!!  And then PRAY for those teachers.

But bring your children HOME WHERE THEY BELONG!!  What about socialization?  HOME is where good...REAL...socialization happens!  I don't see that public school socialzation is very successful.  But I CAN see that my children...and nearly every homeschooled child I've known IS successfully socialized, mannerly, polite, well educated, happy, engaged...I could go on and on.  I CAN see that people such as Winston Churchill, General Patten, General McArthur; Presidents Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Truman; Ansel Adams, Charles, Dickens, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and the Founding Fathers certainly seemed to be well educated...at home...and well socialized. 

Let the proof be in the pudding.  I've got all the proof I need when I see the sadness, anger and hopelessness of the public school kids walking around the malls contrasted by the happy, mentally healthy, hope-filled, motivated homeschool kids that we know.  WHAT A CONTRAST!!  I've got all the proof I need when I hear tearful parents calling me about how to start homeschooling NOW because their child has been beaten up in the locker room for the 4th time and the school won't do anything about it...AGAIN.  It's self-expression and their child just happens to be the canvas!  I don't hear about that nonsense going on with homeschoolers around here.  Do you?

Oh, the stories we could tell!  Bring them HOME WHERE THEY BELONG!!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

A Seldom Thought of Field Trip

Here's something you have probably not thought of doing...how about a field trip to a funeral home?!

I am in no way trying to be morbid here, but I think you will find that it will be one of the most interesting AND beneficial field trips your Jr/Sr high students will ever take.  As many of you know, we consider life skills as a major part of our homeschool.  One of the topics in a unit study that we use as a loose outline covers the topic of ‘being prepared in all circumstances.’  Unfortunately, as we live in a fallen world, death is a part of life.  When we were a young married couple Ty & I lost our darling 3 month old daughter, Jessica, to SIDS and we were faced with all the frightening, ‘must be done NOW,’ heartbreaking decisions that encompassed arranging a funeral…as we were only in our mid-20’s, neither of us had ever been involved in preparing a funeral for a loved one.  As we are not promised tomorrow, we didn’t want our daughters to be completely in the dark as to what is involved in the funeral process, as we were. 

One of My Favorite Blogs ~ A Texas Ranching Homeschool Mom

We all have blogs that we return to day after day to read, enjoy, be encouraged be, learn from and catch up with friends.  Whatever whim that particular blog fulfills.  MANY of those blogs belong to some of you...and I sincerely hope that my blog is enjoyed by many of you.

But today I want to share with you, especially those of you who homeschool ~ and those of you who would LOVE to live WAAAAY out in the boonies somewhere.  This is one of my absolute FAVORITE blogs that I return to nearly everyday.  This blog belongs to "Ree," The Pioneer Woman and she is a homeschool mom of 4 "punks" (as she lovingly refers to them) who has a wonderfully humorous way with words and a knack with a camera as she shares the life of her husband, referred to as Marlboro Man, and life on their ranch.  She ALSO has sections to click on for incredible recipes, photography lessons and home improvement...she's one BUSY ranch wife/homeschool mom!!  Oh!  Before I forget...she's even blogging about her city-girl-turned-ranch-wife-turned-homeschool-mom LOVE STORY, for all of us to enjoy (up to chapter 30-something!) called "Black Heels to Tracktor Wheels."  You'll love it!

To introduce you to Ree and her city-girl-turned-ranch-wife-turned-homeschool-mom life, you will really enjoy reading the May 1st, 2008 entry!!     http://www.thepioneerwoman.com   Click on "Confessions" and then click on the entry entitled:  "I Could Be Sitting in a Classroom Right Now."  (I would have posted the full web-address, but everytime I did it would run across the whole blog page and blend w/everything.  I'm not techo-savvy enough to know how to stop that!)    !Enjoy

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Just a Mom?

A dear friend of mine sent me this story in an e-mail.  I think I read it quite a while ago, possibly you have too, but I think it's a goodie and worth passing along to you.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

JUST A MOM?


A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.  

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,  'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.  'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,'  Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.   The Clerk was obviously a career woman; poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like , 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it?  I do not know.   The words simply popped out.   'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.  

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.  Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,  'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (norma lly I would have said indoors and outside).   I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).  Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 16 hours a day, (24 is more like it).   But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the
rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.  Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.   I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'   

Motherhood!  

What a glorious career!  
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Think about it...

Does this make grandmothers,
'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human
Relations'

And great grandmothers, 'Executive Senior Research Associates?'  

I think so!!!  

I also think it makes Aunts, Associate Research Assistants

Is Your Iron Getting Rusty?

Prov. 27:17 -- "As iron sharpens iron, so one man [family] sharpens another."

When you began your homeschool adventure, where was it that you went to ask questions, get answers, find the camaraderie of many shoulders to cry on and find out that your child wasn’t a freak because he was having trouble with his nine times-tables?  Where was it that you could count on someone with experience to be there for you?

Does “support group” ring a bell to anyone?

I hate to say it, but in many areas support groups are going the way of snow in summer-time…they seem to be melting away and fading into the atmosphere.  And I say, “what a shame!”

It’s come to my attention that many of our precious experienced homeschoolers are starting to drift away from attending their area support group meetings.  Do they feel that they have out-grown them?

Look at it this way:  if I take two pieces of rusty, dull iron – I have two pieces of rusty, dull iron!  J  But if I rub them together, something great happens; they start to change.  They become a little sharper, they become a little brighter and shinier.  They become something usable.  Iron can’t sharpen iron unless there is friction between the two…they have to meet together.

As I asked you in the beginning, think about when you were a new homeschooler and your child just wasn’t catching on to a concept and, at your wit’s end, you went to your homeschool support group and started asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  There was a wonderful, experienced mom there who had actually “been there, done that”!  You went home, tried her advice and it worked!

Now…think of this:  A new homeschool mom, full of hopes and dreams and fears comes to your homeschool support group.  Her child just isn’t catching on to a concept and she’s at her wit’s end; and after coming to your support group she starts asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  Does she find it from you…OR is this one of those nights when you decided you just didn’t want to go tonight?  After all, what more do YOU need to learn about homeschooling since you’ve done it for so long?

Well, what if the reason you are to STILL attend your group has changed?  What if it’s now a ministry?  What if the reason that new homeschool mom leaves the meeting a little sadder and a little more fearful and discouraged is because YOU weren’t there to answer her questions the way someone was there for you?

Isn’t it time for us to be there for a new generation of homeschoolers?  Isn’t it time for us to share our experiences, our triumphs, our joys and even our failures with the new crowd?  Isn’t that part of our Titus 2 duty?  Did the Lord really make you a part of your group JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op or field trips, find out about curriculum sales and legislative updates?  I don’t think so.

This is a new season in our lives and an opportunity to shine as examples of experienced homeschool moms!

Let’s not be a part of the “me, me, me” crowd…we’re past that.  Let’s be the Lord’s hands and feet and minister to our sisters and their families and ease some of those fears and build some dreams!  After all, a long time ago someone cared enough to be there for you.  Now it’s your turn.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

A Few Things...

Charity at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FHCJourney and Amy at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SimpleFolk have posted this list on their own AWESOME blogs...So I thought I would be a copy cat and do it, too!  Hope you enjoy.  Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

No Credit of My Own

Is. 26:12 -- "Lord, You establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished You have done for us."

If you count Kindergarten, this is our 15th year of homeschooling.  My goodness!...what seemed like such a long-term, daunting task back then seems like only yesterday now.  My youngest will be a Senior NEXT YEAR!  I, honestly, can't imagine any other life choice for our family.  We have relationships with our daughters that would never have had if they were away from us all day...over 24,000 hours during their school career.

Through it all, the Lord has been a stead-fast anchor.  It was His idea for us to homeschool.  He put the "want to" in my heart when I was 19, even before I became a Christian and found out about homeschoolig at the age of 23.  Finding out that I could keep my children at home was such a confirmation of God's love and concern for me as a new Christian.  I couldn't help considering it one of those moments when God smiled down and whispered in my ear, "See, I really am here and I care about even the smallest desires of your heart."  What sweet assurance.

Sometimes I wonder what it is that God has planned for our daughters.  How should I direct their educational paths?  The Jr. High and Sr. High years have become even more special than the early homeschool years.  During these years we actually get to prayerfully guide their academics and electives toward the gifts and callings they feel God has placed on their lives.  How exciting!  I'm realizing what the Aplostle Paul felt when he said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, Who makes things grow."  (1 Cor. 3:6&7)  These years are the beginning of the harvest of all the labor and pruning in our homeschool garden.  Now is when we get to watch how God has made them grow and blossom.

Even more than academically educated, we want our daughters to be godly young women, who marry godly young men (and know what to look for in the mean time), who will serve the Lord in their homes and in their churches with gladness.  Since homeschool involves "real life," they already know that not everyday is happy or without stress, however they also know where their joy, their provision and their salvation come from.  Being home, our girls have lived through prayerful decisions and the prayers for provision when the bank account and pantry were low...and have seen paryers answered time and time again!  THOSE are the REAL economics lessons and the REAL testaments to God working in our lives!

I would love to take the credit for the precious, loving, giving, funny daughters that I am raising.  But I just can't.  I am me.  I know me.  And, for better or worse, my daughters know me.  Hopefully, I serve as an example of God's never ending grace...my hope is that that will be one of the greatest lessons they learn.  And it will have been by God's hand that they have been taught it.  As I said:  I know me...I can take no credit for what God has done in their lives.  He is so good, so faithful.  Even when we are not.

Many parents seem to think that they can't homeschool their children through the Jr. High and Sr. High years...let me encourage you to NOT throw away some of the best years of your homeschool career.  If you need help with the "higher" subjects, get it.  But don't give up watching the blossoming of what God has chosen to do through you and your homeschool.  There is peace and satisfaction in knowing that YOU have been a part of God's rich plan that HE is commplishing in the lives of your children.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

FREE Oil Pastel Set!!

Blessings, Kim Wolf<><

Passing along a Free Offer.....

Be Fruitful & Multiply

Be Fruitful and Multiply

What the Bible Says About Having Children

~By Nancy Campbell, Distributed by Vision Forum

This is an interesting book with study questions at the end of each chapter.  I’m sure it would stir up a little controversy in nearly any women’s group or Bible study.  The topic?  Let the Lord choose your family size.

Admittedly, I’m quite confident in my opinion that most Christian couples do trust the Lord with regard to the size of their families.  Mrs. Campbell’s stand is that even well-meaning, sincere Christians have conformed so much to the world that we have lose our desire to fulfill God’s first command to Be Fruitful and Multiply.  This certainly is a matter for prayer for each and every family of faith.

I must say here that I agreed with some things, such as:  children ARE a gift from God, we must obey God rather than man, etc.  I also agreed with her stance that many women ignorantly choose their birth control without educating themselves as to how it works.  But, I confess that there were some things that I had questions about that I felt were not answered…

I, myself, would have loved to have had 5 children.  Our first beautiful daughter died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Crib Death) at three months, I then had two miscarriages before our other two daughters were born.  Apparently, that’s where God wanted our family numbers to end.  I figure that, yes, God did give me those 5 children…although I only have two remaining on earth, I will have all 5 for eternity!  But, Mrs. Campbell doesn’t address the difficulties that many of us face.  My concern is that some may feel somewhat condemned by that at the end of the book.

But, fear not!  I do leave you with a quote containing some hope and grace:  “The fact of the matter is this:  It is not a matter of our deciding how many children we should have, or should not have, but having a vision of God’s plan for marriage and family – a vision to bring forth godly seed for God’s glory.”  Amen.  No matter how many children we are blessed with.

Trail Blazers & Mentors

I Cor. 1:1&2 - "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.  I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you."

Have you ever stopped to take the time to thank the person(s) who first educated you on the subject of homeschooling?

Where would we (and our families) be without them and the concern they showed us by taking the time to explain this godly plan of education?

Think of all the things you would have missed in your children's lives.  Wasn't it wonderful to watch that light come on in their eyes when they finally realized that the numeral 3 represented three things?  Wasn't it exciting when she was so inspired by a book she had just read to sit down and write a fictional story herself?...And it was good!  Wasn't it incredible when he found that cicada shell on the tree, got out his magnifying glass and really got excited about pointing out that he knew where the head, thorax and abdomen were without being asked?  Wasn't it thrilling when your family went to the beach for the first time (remember, I'm from Ohio!) and your kids couldn't collect enough seashells because they finally, fully realized that God made each and every one of them and that there were no two alike?  Oh, the things we would have missed if not for these faithful friends who told us that our kids could stay home for school!

Think of the relationship you have with each child that you would not have if they had spent 6-8 hours away from you each day.  Aren't you grateful that you could instill your values and the teachings of Scripture to them instead of "de-programming" them every night?  Or that they are not caught "between the rock and the hard place" of having to "divide allegiances"?  By that I mean that they don't have to be seduced by the pressure of believing that "cool" socialist Humanities teacher or that smug, self-assured atheistic Biology teacher vs. Dad, Mom and the Bible.  Think of the heartache, and possible harassment, they have been spared so that they can be nurtured in the Truth of the Gospel and taught to defend their faith in the proper time.  (I can find no place in Scripture were God sent a child out to evangelize.)  By the time they complete their home education, by God's grace, they will be mature and secure enough in their faith that they can defend themselves against the "cool" socialist and the smug, self-assured atheist.   I must be frank and tell you that I know very few Christian kids in public schools who are secure enough in their faith that they can properly defend it.  Thanks to God's faithfulness and those dear friends who told us about homeschooling, you and I have had the opportunity to instruct our children "in the way they should go."  (Prov. 22:6 & Deut. 6:4-9)

Titus 2:7 says, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about you."  Now it's our turn.  If you have a year or more of homeschooling under you belt, then welcome to The Example Club!  Just as those who blazed the trails ahead of us, just as those who lovingly mentored us, just as those who set that godly example for us to follow...let us not miss the chance to encourage a nervous mom full of questions, hopes and dreams.  Don't be afraid to be used by God!...If God used Balaam's donkey, I KNOW He can use me...and you, too!  Someone is watching and wants what YOU have, just as you watched someone else at one time.

Thank the dear ones who God used to get you on the road to homeschooling and don't be afraid for Him to use you in the same way.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

P.S. Thanks Sono and Gregg!! 

What is Margarine?

A new Homesteadblogger ~ Promisedland ~ posted this information and I thought it was VERY good info to know. 

By the way...she is a nw blogger but I've enjoyed all of her posts.  Do yourself a favor and take a look!  http://www.homesteadblogger.com/promisedland.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Did you ever wonder how margarine is made?  You know, the stuff that’s supposed to taste like butter and be healthier for you?  I couldn’t help wondering because if it’s not butter, then what is it?  This is what I found:

First, margarine is made from vegetable oil.  Along with using high pressure and high temperature to remove the oil, hexane is used to remove the last bit.  Hexane is a carcinogen (causes cancer), and is mostly removed later on, but trace amounts remain.

Second, the oils are steam cleaned.  This kills any bacteria, but also destroys any vitamins and anti-oxidants that were in the oils.

Third, the oils are then mixed with finely ground nickel, which acts as a catalyst for the hydrogenation process.  Nickel is also a carcinogen.

Fourth, the oils are again put under high temperature and pressure, and hydrogen gas is introduced.  The hydrogen atoms are forced into the oils.  This turns the oils from a liquid into a semi-solid.  This semi-solid pretty much takes the form of a grey greasy substance.  Emulsifiers are added to remove any lumps.

Fifth, the grey grease is steam cleaned again, and bleached to turn it white (after all, who wants to eat grey margarine?). 

Because you now have a lump of stuff that has practically no nutritional value or taste, synthetic vitamins and artificial flavors are added.  A natural yellow color is added to make it look like butter.  Until the 1950s, margarine had to be white so people wouldn’t mix them up.  Now people don’t know the difference.

So which would you choose…a bleached, colored, artificially flavored greasy lump…or….nice fresh, lightly salted butter right from the cow?  I know what I’d choose.  In fact, I don’t know if I can ever eat margarine again.  Yuck!

NAIS...BAD for Small-Time Livestock Owners & Breeders

The blog SimpleLiving has a great article with links about what can happen to small-time livestock owners and breeders.  YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AND TAKE ACTION NOW if this applies to you!

PLEASE go to:  http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SimpleLiving4Us/93753/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

The Call to Educate for Eternity

Psalm 78:5-7 - "He decreed statutes...He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.  Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands." 

Part of what I do as a coordinator is help new homeschool moms get started in the adventure of educating their children at home.  To me, this is the best part of the job description!  In the process of talking with these parents, usually the moms, I get know them a little, I learn what brought them to the decision to homeschool.

Honestly, I am most encouraged by those who have prayed, read books, read magazines, asked dozens of questions and have come to the conclusion that it is God's will.  It has been my experience that these are the people who will go for the long haul.  These are the people who will be most successful and their children will be the most well-rounded and motivated.

I believe that the homeschool "movement" is a revival!  We are picking up the baton of godly education that those before us dropped.  And when the baton was dropped in this country (in the 1850s when the first Government-funded public schools opened their doors) it slowly started to roll ... away.  It picked up speed in the 1960s when prayer was taken out of public schools, a little faster in the 1970s when authority was taken away from teachers and prinipals to discipline students.  And faster and faster through the 1990s and the beginning of the twenty-first century when immorality and violence have become so rampant in our public schools that parents must wonder if they will ever see their children again after they walk out the front door to school.

Safety is a big issue, to be sure.  But the bigger issue for us should be to raise children who will be effective adults for the Lord...Not homeschooling for the sake of homeschooling, not homeschooling so that they will be geniuses, not even for their safety.  But that they will be those "first fruits" in a new generation of godly leadership...the first of several godly generations should the Lord tarry.  Most of all, we homeschool so that our children will live a love relationship with Christ, begun in a life-style of faith.

As, for most of us, our school year is beginning and we're making all of our plans and choosing what will be best to use for our children, I hope you will review the reason why you homeschool.  I hope that it begins with The Call.  

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

What is "Homey"?

Question for you...What is "homey" to you?  Or...How would you describe "homey"?

We live about 35 miles from our church.  Yes, there are great churches that are closer than ours, but we've been at this one for nearly 12 years and just do not feel called to leave it at this time.  Our girls have been there since they were 8 and 5 yeas old and, other then their dear and close homeschool friends around here, they also have good friends at church.

Last month was our youngest dd's 17th b-day and all she wanted to do was invite some of her Sunday School/Youth Group friends to a day at a mall and then to come up to our rural area to our house to spend the night and then all go to church together the next morning.  (Another thing that it did was show these friends just how far we travel AT LEAST twice a week and it would help them to understand the sacrifice we make just to worship w/them.)

All but one of the 4 girls (there's a city slicker in every crowd!  lol ) who came up LOVED the country drive and the little rural town we live in.  One had never seen "a real live" red-tailed hawk until she came up, they LOVED the elk farm that's just a mile from our house, the coming dusk brought a deer out of the woods on the way home...and they liked our old 170+ year old home.  Even though we are JUST inside our town limits, our house had once been a farm house when it was built.  Of course, it's been added on to over the years...particularly the 2 baths, kitchen, electricity and FURNACE!   

Two of the girls are sisters and are from a family that has certainly had it's struggles...mostly financially (which we have gone through!).  These sweet teens really enjoyed being treated to lunch at the mall and the country drive out to our house.  While the girls did all their girlie things upstairs (our girls' bedrooms, bath and an old fashioned "loft" w/a small T.V. are upstairs ~~ it's Girl Domain!), they watched DVDs, giggled, polished nails and fixed each other's hair; I was downstairs making pizza, baking some quick sweet goodies, etc.  After our pizza supper, the girls decided to watch a movie on our larger T.V. downstairs w/my dh and I.  The 2 sisters came in to gab w/me for a few minutes while the others were picking the movie and they went on and on about how they loved our old house.  One said, "it's the kind of house I would like to have someday.  It's so homey!"

Well, I have to tell you that THAT is the way to my heart!  I LOVE homey!  That is the highest compliment that anyone could ever pay me about my home.  I have always tried to make my home homey.  I have always wanted my home to be a place where people could come in and feel comfortable...I never wanted anyone to come in and wonder just where they could sit, to feel as if they couldn't touch anything.  My goal has been to make my house A HOME for my family and a comfortable place for our extended family and our friends to visit and enjoy.

What's homey to me?

~Antiques...especially if they are more on the primitive side and are usable.  I collect tins ~ antique and reproduced ~ and actually use nearly all of them.  I store noodles, pastas, candy, cookies.  In the larger ones I store my bags of flour, suger, Sucanat, baking soda/powder, salt and other bulk items until I re-fill my canisters.  Speaking of canisters...I like to use old, usually colored, canning jars as extra canisters.  I like the way they look on my counters.

~I have many of my dear Bigmom's (maternal gr-ma) things.  I don't know how I got them, as my mom is the 'baby' of her 14 children, but I'm SO eternally thankful that I have them.  There is a memory attached to each one...kitchen utensils, pots/pans/cast iron skillet that I use nearly everyday, end tables, what-not table, paintings, quilts...even her apron and I make tea everyday w/her tea kettle.

~Anything "country"!  All of the above certainly fit into this category as well.  And that could include baskets, painted and worn furniture, an old Whooseir Hutch, dry sink, pie cabnet, plates/platters/place settings, antique tins, old or hand made display shelves, roll-top desk, secretary hutch, old iron bed frame made up w/those home-made quilts, rag rugs.

~Enjoying an evening sitting out on the front porch.  Where has that gone?  No one seems to do that anymore.  We also enjoy our back yard, but sitting on the swing on our front porch does a body good.

~The kitchen table.  We live in fast and furious times.  Especially w/a teen and a dd who is now a young lady in our house.  Everyone has their own schedules, their own groups of friends and their own responsibilities.  But the one place where we all seem to meet - as many nights a week as we possibly can - is at the kitchen table for supper.  This is a place where we connect, catch up, laugh, share ideas, entertain guests...and pray.  And, OF COURSE, we enjoy good times over good food!    

I'm sure once I sign off of here that I'll think of many more things...but I would really like to hear YOUR ideas.  So please tell me...What is your idea of homey?  What is homey to you?

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><     

No Religious Rights for Christian Students in Public Schools...

In the Face of Opposition

Hebrews 12:1-3 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…Consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Have you ever been blind-sided?  Have you ever seen someone else blind-sided?  You know…a person is just driving along and, BAM!, someone runs the red light and crashes right into the side of their car.  Or a person is in the stands watching a baseball game and enjoying the excitement, the cheers and a dog-gone good hotdog when, BAM!, a foul ball lands right in their lap full of nachos and cheese.  Disasters, every one.

Recent national news stories have blind-sided the homeschool community in much the same way.  We had already been labeled everything from educational idiots to educational elitists and everything in-between.  Now, it seems someone is trying to label us as dangerous.  It’s so hard not to stand up and SCREAM! 

We’ve all dealt with various doubts and accusations from “concerned” friends and family…and even a stranger or two.  But how do we stand up to the Goliath of the national news media with an apparent ax to grind?  One way has been done quite successfully, it seems, since the biased news stories aired.  Due to so many complaints, at least one sponsor (as of this writing) has dropped out of the add line-up.  There’s one victory!  Now…how do we persevere from here?

Try this:  Look around you at the homeschoolers you know.  We all constitute an earthly “cloud of witnesses” and encouragement to endure!  We’re not all the same…our families live in different areas, we are different colors, we are large in number, we are small in number.  But we all have the same goal:  to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  So…”Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.”   What encouragement!

When it all comes down to what matters regarding our homeschools, what matters is the vindication that we will receive from Christ.  What matters is that our children will carry forth God’s Good News to a dying world.  What matters is that when this world and the bad news we hear on a nightly basis gets to be overwhelming, we can stop and “consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Jesus knew this kind of slander all too well.  This kind of thing is nothing new to Him.  I once heard a pastor say that “If the devil isn’t bothering you, he must have you right where he wants you.”  I don’t think any of us want to be there, but someone is always looking for ways to discredit the good.  Even if they have to search high and low to do it. 

It’s so easy to get mad and spout off about this, but we need to come together in a concert of prayer for our rights, our safety and for the protection of the Lord over our homes.  And while we’re at it we need to remember Whom we represent…we are ambassadors of Christ.  We are training our children to be ambassadors and carry the light of Christ into the next generation and into the world they will influence as adults. 

We are not responsible for what other people think of us, but we are responsible to be obedient to Christ and His call.  Christ is all the vindication we need.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

Flax Seed Bread & Rolls

I have made my family's bread for quite a while...I can't imagine going back to store-bought bread on a regular basis.  It just isn't the same.  About 2 years ago I started reading up on women's health...both as a benefit for myself and my 2 daughters.  One of the things that I discovered is that Omega 3's and lignans are vital to a woman's health...monthlies, skin, hair, nails, mood, etc.  Some of the best places to find these are in fish and olive oil.  We are not huge "fish fans" but I DO use olive oil in just about everything execpt baking sweets.

I take a tablespoon of Flaxseed oil everyday.  It's not a problem for me, but my daughters don't really like it.  Since I wanted a way to fit more Flax into my family's diet I came up (by Devine inspiration, I'm sure) with putting Flaxseed Meal in my bread!!  I also put it in my dinner roll recipe. 

I used to mix and knead my bread dough by hand, but now I let my bread machine do it , then I let it rise and then bake in a bread pan in my oven.

Here are my recipes that I have tweaked over the years...I hope you enjoy...KW<><

FLAXSEED BREAD

2 lb. laof

1-1/3 c. hot (the hotter, the better) water

2 ts. butter (or margarine)

4 c. bread flour

1/4 c. flaxseed meal

1 TB. dough enhancer

5 ts. sugar or Sucanat (depends on your sweet-tooth)

1-1/2 ts. sea salt (or Real Salt)

1 TB. (heaping) yeast (cold - kept in frig)

1)  Add ingredients into your bread machine in order as listed above.

2)  Use your finger or a measuring spoon to form a well (hole) in the mixture to pour the yeast into.  NEVER let your yeast come into contact w/a liquid before baking.

3)  Set machine on "Dough."  Mine will knead and rise for about 1-1/2 hours.  Once this cylce is complete, let dough rise in maker for 30-45 minutes.

4)  Before first rising is complete, set oven on "warm."  While oven is warming, spray or grease your loaf pan.  After about 10 minutes, turn oven OFF.  Take bread out of machine, punch down, shape into loaf and put in loaf pan, set bread in oven and let rise for 45 minutes.  You may cover w/a clean, light-weight dish towel if you wish.

5)  REMOVE TOWEL, if used.  Set oven at 375 degrees and bake bread for 30 minutes.

6)  ENJOY!!!

FLAXSEEK ROLLS

Same recipe ingredients as above.

Follow 1), 2) and 3) above.

4)  Before first rising is complete, set oven on "warm" for 5-10 minutes.  Then turn oven OFF.  On a floured board, punch down and knead dough for about 5 minutes, shape into a ball and place on lightly floured cookie sheet, cover and let rise in warmed oven for 30 minutes.

5)  Divid dough by placing 3 small rolled balls into each cup of a GREASED or SPRAYED muffin pan.

6)  Cover w/clean, light-weight dish towel, if you wish. Let rise in warm oven for 30-45 minutes.

7)  REMOVED TOWEL, if used.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

8)  ENJOY!!

Carpet Freshener

Grandma Rosie (http://www.homesteadblogger.com/GrandmaRosie) posted about using Baking Soda as a scouring powder.  Great idea!

I also have another use for Baking Soda...

Fill an clean, empty Parmesan cheese shaker w/Baking Soda.  Add 5 - 7 drops of Lavender essential oil.  Shake well to mix.  Shake out onto your carpets, wait about 20 - 30 minutes, then vacuum.

Fresh carpets and a freshly scented room!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Making Butter

I noticed, on the Homesteadblogger Home Page, the Front Porch section, that there was an entry today about making butter.  Granted this was for making butter w/goat's milk, completely from scratch and sounds YUMMY in my tummy - as my girls used to say when they were little.  But I, too, make my own butter, only in a much easier way.

My mother used to do this as a child on a VERY RURAL (to put is MILDLY) Kentucky farm during the Depression.  Only she used what she refers to a "curdled milk." 

The way I do it is also a great project to do w/your own kids!

Here's my way...

You will need:

~ 2 small cartons of heavy whipping cream

~ pinch of salt

~ an air-tight GLASS jar

~ a WOODEN spoon (NO METTLE!!)

Pour the 2 cartons of cream into the glass jar.  Shake (shake...shake...SHAKE) for around 45 minutes.  You will notice several stages while you are shaking....it will become creamy, then like whipped cream, then a little watery.  ALL OF A SUDDEN, at around 45 minutes of shaking, you will notice that a complete ball has actually shaken loose from buttermilk!!

THAT'S YOUR BUTTER!!

Take your wooden spoon and, while holding back the butterball, drain the buttermilk either down the drain or into a glass for your own drinking pleasure.  Press and drain, press and drain, press and drain until hardly a trickle of milk is left. 

Add a pinch of salt (or to taste), stir salt completely into butter and then store your butter in a crock or air-tight container.

I like soft butter so I leave mine on the counter in a crock.  This will make just less than a pound, so it won't last long! 

ENJOY!!

Blessings from Ohio,  Kim Wolf<><