Wisdom Farms

Thanks Gardening

With the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching (where did this year go?); I've been pondering having a thankful heart.  Our family has much to give thanks for- health, a home (not our dream home, but a roof over our heads nonetheless), friends, family, and for the time being, 2 gardens! 

Gardening is one of those things that we just "do" in our family.  For me, growing things is not only a hobby, but a passion I suppose.   As I ponder giving thanks, and more importantly....living thanks to Him who gives to us so generously and abundantly; I am seeking ways to make gardening a way of giving and living gratitude.  

Here are a few thoughts:

Sharing the harvest, a simple place to start.

Planting an extra row of edibles to donate to a food bank or needy famililes.

Saving seeds and sharing those with other gardeners.

Starting a community garden and teaching others the skills to grow their own food.

Market gardening, and donating part (or all) of the profits to the needy or perhaps to a missionary.

Hosting a "Harvest Festival" that gives honor and glory to the Lord of the Harvest.

Giving the gift of seeds to a needy family.

Supporting mission efforts that teach sustainable agriculture.

Anyone else have ideas to share?

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.   ~W.J. Cameron

Blessings,

Catherine

Fall Baking: Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

 

Progress still being made...debt free journey update...

We paid the bills the other night and found we are having enough to pay the bills, however my grocery money was a little short this month due to all the car repairs.  I told everyone that we will just have to wait until Dh gets paid until buying some more food. 

This really isn't a problem at all.  I have a good stockpile of the basics... whole grain for breads (and all the other bread staples), dried beans and basic herbs and spices, rice and pasta, canned tomatoes and other sauces, cashews and peppers for my "cheesy sauce", some rice and almond milk in their vacumn sealed boxes... basically everything we need to survive except DAIRY!  LOL.  I even have plenty of fruits and veggies.

So we are again dairy free for another week as a family, together!  *grin*  God is so good to me.  My family is supportive again this week because we are out of cheese, milk, etc... due to money shortages.  I get a short breather for me to catch my breath and be ready for the holidays without dairy. 

I've noticed the last two weeks the attitudes around the house are more selfish in nature and I haven't been quite able to figure out what to do about it as of yet.  I never really noticed, but tonight, I went to church to hold our monthly health meeting and I asked my girls if they'd come with and help and not one was willing to go.  This is really odd... they've always been willing... then one of my daughters pipes up with ... what will you give me?  I looked at her questioningly and she replies... will you take me out to eat?  I said, we're serving dinner at the health meeting, why would we go out to eat and then she said... no, I'm not going. 

I was just stunned, I've not ever really encountered them rejecting an opportunity for service at church.  In fact, they have always LOVED helping in the kitchen and I was floored by the reaction.  Oh my kids have had days of not helping from time to time, but usually in coincided with "something" going on in their lives... but this... I don't know... I think it is more heart issues I am dealing with.  Perhaps my dairy free break is not only for me, but for them to have to give of themselves.   I will have to do some praying this week to see if further direction is needed.  Now that I am aware of this, I'll likely need to pay attention to what is ruling their lives... self or Christ.  I know many times I do not notice myself when I stray from what is right and sometimes redirection is needed.  God seems to find a way to wake me up and get my attention.  It seems that now is a time for my girls to "see" what I have seen today.  May God give me wisdom that I can do it in a loving and non-critical way so that they might be open to change. 

My computer time is about done for today.  Time for a quick pick up before bed.

Warmly, ~Melissa 

Sour Cream Patties... Dairy Free.

This weekend, I tried making Sour Cream Patties, but without dairy.  Beings dairy is a main theme of this recipe, I was hoping it would turn out.   It was fine.  My daughters said it was just like the regular version... my only change was that I used tofu sour cream in place of the dairy version. 

Sour Cream Patties:

Patty:

One can of vegetarian burger, 4-5 eggs, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 2 packets of george washington's broth (just the powder)... a chicken or beef flavored seasoning is a good substitute for this, and a 1/2 teaspoon of sage.

Mix together and fry in a non-stick skillet... no oil necessary if you let the pan heat up first.

Sauce:

2 cups of sour cream, 2 cups of a seasoned broth (I've done both vegetarian chicken or beef... both are good), mix together.  One small can of mushrooms/drained, and one onion sliced into rings.

Layer patties, mushrooms and onions in a pan... can use a 9 by 13 or layer in a 3 quart crockpot.  Pour sauce over it.  Let the crockpot cook on low for about 4 hours.  OR bake at 350 F for 45 minutes until bubbly and onions are soft. 

This is one recipe my husband enjoys and me going dairy free was killing him because the only vegetarian dishes he likes contain dairy.  *grin*  My girls said Dad won't even notice a difference.   He didn't get to try them...since he was at work and they were gone before he had a chance to try them. 

One more recipe to add to the approved list.  At least I have a nice meal for special occasions that I can count on.  This recipe is a bit pricey and I tend to double it and put it into my 5 qt. crockpot when I do make it.  Left-overs are still just as great! 

Warmly, ~Melissa

OUCH!

I stubbed my toes and I just had to tell someone.   I feel like I have nails sticking into the tips of my toes...

Sitting here with my feet up in the air, ~Melissa