Winterpast Homestead

A Sad Note... Moving & More

On a sad note, my husband's step-mom passed away early this morning.  She has been in failing health for a very long time, and though her quick passing was a shock, we know she is at peace now, and at home with the Lord.  My husband had the special blessing of baptizing her and his step-sister a few years ago, after a long, long time of prayer for them.  So, those of you who have been praying for your family members for years...don't give up! 

On a brighter note, after what seems like a very long wait.....in my book, 3 months past the original move in date is quite a wait ; we are in the process of moving into our "new nest".  It still isn't really ready for us, but lack of adequate heating in this house and a stove that only broils  (which doesn't do much for my temper, either), is more than reason enough for us to go on with the move and let my husband deal with whatever must be done in the other house in the next few days. 

I have 1/2 the house packed, 1/2 unpacked and absolutely no energy to get it done with being up most of last night.  I've also had some issues with a pinched nerve in my back, so I'm virtually useless when it comes to lifting anything or carrying boxes.  We should have some manpower to help with the beds and other furniture tomorrow, though. 

Our game plan is to get the big things moved this weekend, and at least get the kitchen in order so I can cook Thanksgiving dinner there.  The rest will come as we have opportunity. 

I will be offline after tonight for a few days at least. 

I pray that you and yours have a lovely Thanksgiving.  We do have much to be thankful for! 

Blessings,

Catherine

Wishing I had more time to post here to ya'll

We are living here in Linden, or should I say south of Linden.  Its beautiful here in fall but boy it sure feels more like winter already. Tonights low is 15 and we have been 2 weeks with no furnace due to the electrical fire in it .  We have rented a 14x60 2 bedroom 2 bath.  Now imagine me trying to sort through all the stuff that we brought with us from our 2200 sq ft house, after getting rid of half of it.  We only brought our beds and  my sewing stuff and my soap stuff and my homeschool stuff, crib, changing table, porta crib, high chair, fold up tables and 2 folding chairs, 2 bins of toys that were left of the girls ( baby dolls and tea set, little people house and farm, noahs ark and play set.)  All the bathroom, kithen stuff and what food I could bring with us.  I am sorta set on baking supplies for a month maybe less and it seems that I only run low on milk and meat, potatoes and those things that come from a garden. Since we were moving we didnt really plant a huge garden as we wouldnt be there to can things.  We left for TN Aug. 2nd.  I did have meat in the freezer but it was not able to travel down with us , what I tried to bring spoiled on the way down though packed good.  Yes I brought my electric sewing machine and serger and vacume and our computers. ( 2 desktops and one laptop with wifi capabilities)

Well the point is we thought we were coming down with less and yet in the RV and in this smaller home it seems like alot of stuff.  So what is really needed anyways ?  Well as I sort through it all much is going in boxes to be sold.  To raise money for other needed things.  ie. land, cabin or small home, wood cookstove.  After all that was the idea, to move here and eventually get land and homestead more then we had been in NY. Somehow living the countrylife no longer seems like homesteading once you have visited many here that life off the grid and have built their own home, rustic as they are, they are home and boy they seem nice to me. What is life all about anyways ?  Was it about nice rooms with painted and papered walls ? Was it about having a nice bathroom with all the fixtures and such ?    No, it is nice to see an outhouse now with paper holder, a light in there and ya know what ? copies of countryside and a real toiet seat !!!! Fancy huh !!!!

Some here have solar, some are living no electric substitute at all and each encourages us to strive toward whatever the Lord tells us is for us to do and each gives "My use to be DH who said we will never go non-electric and we will never live like the Amish"  A new vision for our lives.   The first goal was to live on what money we do have or can make and live on less or with less.   Unless it can make you more money or serves a purpose that is useful, it has no real value here.  ( I will admit I have my country tins, crock, and rooster things with me, but they serve a purpose too. My rose bowl and pitcher and my tea set will be used not just sit on a shelf for looks anylonger.  Here DH has a shed to keep his tools in and we can keep our goats here.  All the new ways are blessings and those we meet are the best blessings in our new life here in Linden TN.  The likemindedness is in the fact that Jesus died for each of us and though we  are each different in our degree of living the life of plain and simple living, we are all sharing the fact that Jesus died for us to save our souls.

Wensday night we attended a local sing, the glorious sound of our blended voices while we blend our lives in friendship I am sure is the most wonderful thing to the Lord God.

Blessed to be in His Child

Love

Linda

Faithful Acres Homestead

Grace

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live.

~Jackie Windspear

Due to technical difficulties...

....I have the need to live in a grass hut away from all conveniences.  No. Really.  Due to technical difficulties and the ensuing reliance upon all things technical to make 'life run smoothly' - I think a little hut-time would be just the ticket.

My computer went on the fritz yesterday. Now, mind you I love to NOT be on the computer.

A day spent working online or filling customer orders or promoting our business is good, but can be VERY - uhm - hollow? Yeah, that's it. Not that I don't LOVE our customers and am thankful, bu the bookwork is not too inspiring. So usually I try not to touch work until after lunch.

Chores first. A little creative time. Tasks. Lunch then seated work....that's how it works best for me.  It gives me time with the Lord in the morning and the kids before they head for college and then the house is nice and clean and smells of the newest item from the 'test kitchen' are in the air - so work is not so all encompassing.

But...when faced with a lack of communications because of computer issues(our 800# calls get emailed, orders are emailed, etc) the looming next day is one of CONSTANT computer time. Yuck. Also, a lapse in customer communication makes for some frustrated customers when we're back 'up' and running.

So...that is why today would be a great HUT day. Get away from the reliance upon technical conveniences. ... strip things down to just me and God and His provision.

That's what we call it here – “grass hut time”.  It's a need we identify when we are overwhelmed and engulfed in the aftermath of technical difficulties or find ourselves distracted by the conveniences or societal obligations for "success" (whatever 'THAT is?).

My kids actually coined the phrase of wanting to live in a grass hut – much to the surprise of their peers. Not to run away from things as much as to sharpen the senses that God gave them.  The incessant Facebook/Myspace comparisons of their lives with others. Remote controls to flip the TV mindlessly. Microwave meals (of which we eat none – but you know ….) College. Job. Car repairs.  iPods. Video Games. We are overloaded with choices to distract ourselves or rely upon technology instead of hear the still small voice of God.

Today I long for some grass hut time.

True Thanksgiving

He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
~J.A. Shedd

May we, who receive such glorious undeserved, gifts; not fail to give thanks, truly and from the heart, to Him who gave all for us.

Our computer crashed...

Well, I'm posting from my parent's house, as our computer crashed.  I'm not sure what's wrong with it, but we decided not to have it fixed right now, so we just cancelled our internet.  I'll post from here occasionally to keep the site updated.

A quick update:

Lilli is doing great.  She had a horrible  cough for almost two weeks, but finally kicked it on her own without meds.  Yay on that.  She was student of the month last month, and loves school.  Dance is something she looks forward to each week.

Lauren is doing ok, but is a bit sick.  She acquired Lilli's cough and then it went into her lungs.  She ended up with a double ear infection and pneumonia.  She is feeling better now, but isn't completely over it yet.

Lance is doing well, but still has a bit of pain from his hernia surgery.  His job is keeping him busy, and he cuts wood on his 'off' days, when the weather cooperates. 

I actually love the time change when it gets dark earlier.  It means we actually get to eat supper together most nights.  There is only so much Lance can do outside in the dark, so we see a lot more of him these days.  That's good for us, AND for him!

It was our 9th anniversary on Thursday.

Our last 6 pigs went to the processor last weekend.  Yay!

We are down to 7 steers, 2 goats, 12 chickens, 5 guineas, 2 dogs (our Great Pyrs went to new homes), and one barn cat.

We are looking forward to winter and the holidays. 

I'll post another update when I can.  I have internet access here at my parent's house and at the local library.

I can't seem to access my email, so if you need to get me, you can call me, or leave a comment on here and I'll probably get it quicker than an email at this point.

A Too Large Pot Roast...

We have a home !!!!

Well here we are......  Let me first say that moving or making the move does not come without trials....lol

Ya, now I can laugh about things but I can tell you that I wasn't laughing when they did happen.

Everyone is looking for thier perverbial " Garden of Eden" here on earth and or heaven on earth

 to live peacably while we wait for the Lord's return.  Perhaps if our little homestead was in heaven

we would all be happy and content right ? 

While we found a 2 bedroom mobile home, 2 bathrooms 14 x 60.  In the country of course.

The girls are happy the landlords daughter has 2 horses pastured out here behind our place.

They are ok with us having our goats and fencing in an area for them here.  We have a nice sized

porch to sit out on , so that is good .  Have to watch out for the fire ant hills but that is part of TN.

OK so for the trials.... The Second night we had a electrical fire in the furnace, house was filling with smoke

we got out and tried to wake up neighbours and no luck.  Well the guy up the road was up shotting cyottes

so he called the landlord for us. We aired out the house and then slept well , after the landlord brought us space heaters to use.

What a House Warming !!!

Linda

Random Ramblings for Today...

 Egg yolks and lemon juice "shampoo" make hair look and feel fabulous....but, oh the smell is disgusting!  It even overpowers the smell of the Apple Cider vinegar rinse.  Yucky, that's putting it mildly.  So, any ideas for getting the nasty eggy smell out of my freshly washed, shiny hair???  I think I'll go sit in the sunshine for a while and see if that helps. 

UPDATE on bread bowls and potato bean soup.

Just saw my earlier post when posting the last one!  If you want the recipe, it is going out in our newsletter this Monday (11/17) with pictures and all! So go sign up at: http://www.eatgrains.com to get your FREE monthly recipes!