Abundant Blessings Farm

Monday, Monday...

Monday....one of my favorite days of the week. So much promise for the week ahead...

Today is filled with our normal Monday routine...laundry and school work. Plus anything else that comes up. Today, I am determined to not use the dryer at all. I normally do one load in the dryer....socks, undies, washclothes and napkins.....all those little things that are time consuming to hang out. After realizing that our last month's electric bill did not include the rate increase, we are conserving even more. Our bill was a bit higher than I expected, though lower than years past for August usage. But, the weather was cooler and we didn't run the a/c as much as normal. And I was diligent about hanging out the laundry (except for that one load each laundry day). Then I read that the rate increase took effect Oct 1st. Oh! Now, I'm not looking forward to this bill at all!

When Honey left this morning, we heard deer in the front pasture snorting. It spooked me a bit when I first heard it, but Honey told me what it was and calmed me. What a sweetie. I sure didn't want to give him back to Home Depot this morning..but that's what Monday entails. Bummer...I'd so LOVE for him to work at home. I just love being with him. He's my favorite person in all the world.

I had posted some clothes for sale on our local swap and shop...I sold the 6 bags of clothes on Saturday...but also had separate listings for sleepers and such. A woman called last night and wants to buy ALL of them!! She also asked if we had any other clothes or toys to sell. I'm meeting her in town tomorrow, before MNO, to sell her this stuff. Natalie and Mary have been cleaning their room and I know they have toys that they no longer want or play with. The lady buying this stuff is helping out a family that lost their home to a fire. I plan to give her plenty of stuff to give to this family too. I know I have a bag of sheets that I'll wash up and give her...and I'll be looking around today for other things. She told me they have little children and another on the way. How awful to lose everything......

I'm hoping to sell enough "stuff" to be able to buy new tires for the Burb before our trip to Nashville later this month. The back tires are worn...and when the Burb gets to about 55mph, the back end vibrates alot. It would be so nice to have new tires and not deal with that on I-65 that day. I plan to call the tire store to get a price once Honey tells me what kind of tires he wants to replace them with. He'd like to get truck tires instead of the passenger car tires that are on it now. They don't seem to last as long as the truck tires do.

I just heard the washer stop for the second time this morning. I have one load already sorted in the basket and it's time for the second to join the first. The sun is slowing rising, though it will still be awhile before it starts shining down here in the "holler"....

Guess I'll go tend to that laundry...

Have a blessed day!

Sunday evening

Wow...two posts in two days....yeah me!

If you think of it, please say a prayer for my Aunt Nina today...it would have been her and my Uncle Wayne's 45th wedding anniversary today.

After breakfast this morning, Rebecca looked through the Martha Stewart Baking Handbook (from the library yesterday) and decided to make a very decadent chocolate cake with chocolate icing.... that's my girl!

I spent the day getting little things taken care of. I'm working on a chore schedule to go along with the chore packs from Teri Maxwell's Managers of their Chores book. I didn't read the entire book since I'd just seen her speak on this...but I'm looking forward to starting this chore pack system.

I'm loving this new printer!!! I just ordered more ink as the cartridges are only supposed to print about 200 pages...I ordered the XL cartridges this time. I found the cheapest place to order them was from HP directly. They are offering free shipping...of any sort...next day (if it's available in your area..it's not in my area), 2 day and regular 5-7 days. I also found a coupon on Retail Me Not for $10 off! Love that! Once the new ink cartridges arrive, I have some major printing to do.

First, I have been blessed with the Old School House planner!!! I'm so excited about this!! Second, I have also been blessed to be able to review a new e-book from The Old School House. I plan to print it and read it as intended, in book form.  What a treat!!! Next, I have some materials for Keepers/Contenders to be printed before our meeting on Friday. Yep, that will be one busy printer this week!

'Tis time to get everyone ready for bed....will be back in the morning...Monday comes soon....so does 3:30 am!

Saturday....

It's been a busy, but fruitful day today!

We were up bright and early...and hit the road at 8:15. The girls went with me to get our monthly grocery shopping completed. We were to meet a lady at Piggly Wiggly to sell her some clothes. We got there early, so decided to go ahead and start shopping. I had given the lady my cell phone number, so I knew she would call when she arrived.

We did find some great deals...I'm sad that PW is closing...not because I shopped there alot, but because it was another choice. Now, I'm back to Wal Mart only as a choice...

Anywho, they had 40% off the entire store. We bought over $200 worth of groceries for $99! I had several coupons to use as well.

While we were shopping, the lady called...and Rebecca went out to meet the her and sell the clothes. I was so proud of her! She doesn't like doing such things, but she did it right away and without complaint!  That's my girl!!

We left there and went to Walgreen's. Another great trip there! We bought $72 worth of stuff for $1. Yep, $1. I used many coupons and my rebate card from last month...and spent exactly $1 out of pocket! And...I have almost $15 worth of register rewards to use next time.

Then it was off to the library. I found a few cookbooks to read. It's turning cooler here...that means the baking and cooking bug is hitting my home. Both Rebecca and I love to bake...it shows in my waistline...but I do love it!

We then went to the second hand shop...I'm so not impressed with that store now. It used to be such a bargain to shop there. But, they've made some management changes...and it's no longer a bargain. I found a pair of jeans for Natalie...they were priced at $8! $8 for used jeans??! I don't think so!

Then it was off to Wal Mart to finish our shopping. This time, we spent $280. Combined with our $99 at Piggly Wiggly, that's not a bad total for the entire month's groceries. I did forget a couple of things...that will cost about $10...and will need to add produce and fruit....but for feeding a family of 6, that's not too bad!

After we unloaded and put away all the groceries, Rebecca and I decided to rearrange some cupboards. We had loaded up on the energy and granola bars she likes as well as dried fruit. We put that into the cabinet where the cookbooks were kept. Out they came....which led to us rearranging three more large cupboards, labeling everything and making it look oh so much nicer! We still have a few cupboards to rearrange, but that will get done soon. I love opening the cupboards and seeing it all neat and tidy!

Then, it was time to start supper. Chili and cornbread was on the menu. I started frying the hamburger for it and then decided to fry up the hamburger that was needed for this month's meals. So, the pot was filled with hamburger for chili, hamburger potato soup and tacos. The rest of the hamburger went into a freezer bag to be made into Swedish meatballs. While that cooked, I sliced up the round steak into Philly cheesesteak slices, and had enough for two meals' worth! Same with the beef stew meat. Two meals' worth...and both meals are on the menu only once this month, which means it will be there for next months' meals. Once the meat was finished frying, I drained it and ran water over the remaining meat to cool it off. Into freezer bags it went.

Now, when it's time for those meals, all I have to do is pull out the freezer bag and get started. What a time saver!

I'm ready for some relaxing time...think I'll go get Penny (one of our dachshunds) and snuggle up with her. Honey is enjoying our free preview month of DIY this month. Saturday nights are now filled with This Old House, New Yankee Workshop and Wood Works. Reminds me of our early years of marriage...oh how we enjoyed sitting in our bedroom watching that little tv...watching those same shows (minus the Wood Works..but including HomeTime, and other home improvement shows)...then we'd move onto other PBS shows like Julia Child, Frugal Gourmet and others. We both learned so very much watching those shows!

Have a blessed evening!

A Christmas giveaway!!!

Thursday already??!

This week is flying by!!

Yesterday was a great day! We went to a corn maze yesterday. I love planning field trips...and I especially love them when we have so many attend.....and have such a great time! We then made a stop at a small store over there. Last time I was there, they were out of Lebanon bologna..but not this time!!! And I found small bags of my favorite chips...Martin's!!! :)

No birch beer this time, though.....bummer.....maybe next time...

Today is filled with school, laundry, Keepers' work, etc. I'd like to do some baking. I'm reading a book from the library about making authentic sourdough bread. I'm excited to get started!!!

The weather is turning cooler here. I LOVE this time of year!! I love that the air is crisp, the days are shorter, snuggling up with my babes under a blanket, the upcoming holidays, etc. It's my favorite time of year.

Honey is taking a week of his vacation at the end of this month!!! We are so excited to have him all to ourselves for 9 whole days!! I already know that I am not going to want to give him back when it's over..but I'll just soak it up while he's home.

I hear the washer has stopped now...time to get those out and ready for the clothesline once the sun comes up. It's not a huge mountain of laundry today, but it's big enough...

Have a most blessed day!!!

Insurance

I've spent a good part of this morning reading over Honey's new insurance....Home Depot has changed providers, so it's all new this year.

We have 10 days to decide what levels of insurance to take...

A few co-workers of his have asked why I am not on his medical insurance...one word...cost! For the highest deductible, his medical (not including dental and vision, which I am on), will be $64.00 per pay period, which is every two weeks. To add me with the same levels, it would be $201!  The difference of $137 is more than our weekly grocery budget.

As we found last year with my Gentle accident, medical costs are unbelievable. But, the additional yearly cost of over $3500 is just too much for our budget to bear...

However, I did find that life insurance for both of us is pretty reasonable. That is a good feeling....we will be taking some out this year. Honey has some already, we'll be adding more on him and some on me as well. This will be a relief...for if something were to happen, this would allow us to remain homeschooling. I am happy to see reasonable rates on this insurance.

Anywho....I'm wading through it...page at a time....

Monday, Monday....

It's Monday...usually one of my favorite days of the week...and this week is no different. It's especially good since the man in the brown truck arrived this afternoon!! He brought our new printer!!!! I'm in the process of installing it now...

We've been without a working printer for nearly a month now. I'm so sick of this Epson printer...we'll never have another one! We went back to our first love, HP. It's got all the bells and whistles...sure hope it lives up to the great reviews I read about it! I'm confident it will...

Natalie has a new love....reading. She just devours books lately. Not that I'm complaining..though Mary thinks it's not cool. She misses her playmate. But, she'll be joining her soon enough in the reader girl world. Mary's doing quite well in her reading!!

We're working on a rather large to do list...some for the house, some for the farm. Currently, our biggest concerns are fencing (to finish our obligation for our grant) and getting Cheeseburger separated out to be hauled to be processed. I know once those two biggies are off Honey's mind there will be others to tend to...but those are the most pressing at the moment.

Martha and Ken will be here soon. Ken is going to help Toby replace the kitchen window. We have some termite damage there....no clue what this will involve...just hope it's not too costly! I dreamed of a bay window going in there to replace the plain window that's there now. I don't really expect that to happen, but it would sure look nice!

I found a farm here in our town listed for sale on our local swap and shop today. No photos listed..but I did e-mail the folks for some. The house is not big enough from what is listed...there's only 34 acres...but it has the outbuildings we're looking for....a big but is the asking price. They're asking nearly what we would ask for our farm...and they have half the land we do! Our home actually has 1 more bedroom, same bath (1).....who knows..it was neat to find something with the outside stuff we want.

The printer is ready to be used....so I must close and give it a whirl!!!

Busy day

Today was a good day, but a busy one!

We had our first piano lessons of this school year first. Both Rebecca and Thomas did quite well. I'm so proud of them both for sticking with their lessons....I know we've encouraged them quite alot in doing this..but I think it will benefit them all their lives.

Then it was off to a friend's home. I taught our milk gal and her sister (and a few others who joined us!) how to make mozzarella cheese..and ricotta too. What fun we had!!! I love that they were interested in learning this, and that I was able to teach them. It's really simple...it just takes time and interest.

We stayed for lunch....gumbo and rice. Yummo!!!! And brownies for dessert! :)

Then it was time to head home....and start supper. Honey worked an hour late. His counterpart called out sick for the second day in a row. We both feel badly for her. She has a heart condition...has had surgeries and such...and is young. She has two young children...and an absent husband. They are seperated..and he does not support his children. He caused a fuss to the point where she quit her second job to make him happy. Now, funds are tight...but he doesn't contribute. Sad...really sad. Anyhow, the stress she must be under with all of this and her heart condition too. She was really feeling poorly on Monday, so Honey expected she wouldn't be there.... but today was his big day of work and he was swamped. It doesn't help that a bus load of employees are down in Lake Charles, LA helping at the Home Depot down there, including the store manager.

Since he was late, we had plenty of time to get supper prepared. We had subs...toasted subs. I had some sub buns from Sam's in the freezer. Now, I bake all of our bread...except for sub buns. There's just nothing like those! I buy extra when we go and freeze them for a treat. Today was that treat day!

After we cleaned up, Natalie and I colored together. It was  nice time, just the two of us. I then finally ordered a new printer. I tried to do this before we left this morning, but had computer issues.... I hemmed and hawed about which one and what site had the best price...and missed the cutoff for delivery on Friday by 15 minutes! Now, I'll have to wait until Monday. I'm secretly (or maybe not so secretly!) hoping it gets shipped right out and I do get it Friday. I have soooo much to print that I have not been able to since our Epson decided it was no longer going to work. I'll never have another Epson printer again. What garbage. I went back to my favorite, HP and I don't expect to be disappointed...

While I was online, I checked our local swap and shop. I found a most beautiful couch and loveseat...for only $100!!! I fell in love, e-mailed them and waited. They wrote back that it was still there...but they'd had several calls about it. When I went out to ask Honey, he said okay....then I called. Someone else was on their way to look at it...I called back and they had bought them. Bummer. It would have been so nice to have some new (to us) furniture. Guess the Lord has something else for us.

Honey and I had some time to sit on the porch and talk. I do so love to do that!! Course, we had to listen to Cheeseburger, our bull who needs to be put in the freezer, bellow. He's so annoying....he just loves to bellow to the bull and cows across the road....at all times....

It's time for slumber...and I'm ready for it!!!

The dangers of Autumn....

Here you see evidence of the biggest danger of Autumn....

I LOVE TO BAKE!!!! I especially love to bake when the weather cools down.

Saturday was filled with baking....raspberry chocolate cookies, an apple pie (yes, I do indeed make my Honey pies..contrary to what he sometimes tells his Mama!), glazed donuts, jelly filled donuts, cinnamon rolls (all ready to bake the next morning for breakfast) and a from scratch chocolate cake for a most wonderful friend's birthday!

There, now you know my secret.....when the weather turns cool...then cold...you know where to find me...in the kitchen...baking!!

It's our engagement anniversary!!!

Eighteen years ago today, my Honey got down on one knee and said the most sweetest words to me...and then asked me to become his wife.

I had dreamed of that day for so long and was soooo very happy to say a resounding YES to his proposal!!

He took me to the beach to propose. It was early evening and the beach was so pretty.

I've been incredibly blessed and proud to wear his ring for 18 years now. Even as incredible as our years together have been, we know that the best is yet to come