The word "homestead" literally means to be steadfast at home. My joy would be to encourage other Christian women to rejoice in the home-centered life, instead of buying into the cultural norm of the mother who is constantly on the go. I publish the New Harvest newsletter for those who love growing and preserving food, crafting, homekeeping, backyard livestock, Titus 2 fellowship and all other aspects of the homestead life. Email me to get a free introductory issue!
I just can’t keep up with it. 
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New Harvest Homestead newsletter
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Blessings!
Lisa
From the November/December 2006 & 2007 issues of New Harvest Homestead. Visit my website at www.newharvesthomestead.com to find out how to subscribe.
Blessings,
Lisa
The November/December 2007 issue of New Harvest Homestead is now available!
Here’s a little taste of the great things you’ll find in this issue:
THANKFUL! – NHH readers share what they are most thankful for
Cranberries 101 – A little history and interesting information about this versatile holiday fruit, plus mouth-watering cranberry recipes!
In the Holiday Homestead Kitchen – Christmas cookies and favorite pot-luck take-alongs
Whole Wheat Dough Variations – The Urban Homemaker shares the many ways to use her whole wheat dough recipe for lots of holiday treats
Last Minute Gifts & Holiday Projects – Be ready to give from the heart with these easy-to-make gifts
And LOTS more! Don’t miss this issue. Visit my website to find out how to subscribe – www.newharvesthomestead.com
From now until Christmas buy a two-year subscription and receive a third FREE! See the details on my website or write to me at newharvest@gotsky.com
Christmas Blessings!
Lisa
Please check out the short video clip I have added to my sidebar on the right (under "Recent Entries"). My 16-year-old daughter shared this with me and I cannot put into words how much this short musical skit touched my heart. Guy and I were in youth ministry for many years before we had our own children and we still have a great concern for the young people we know. This presentation is very powerful and has the potential to reach young people when other methods might fail. I feel like it tells my own story as a youth. I urge you to share it with family and friends. Here is the link on GodTube (the Christian alternative to YouTube):
The other reason I find this so moving is the lyrics to the song, "Everything". These young men found the perfect words to express how I feel about the Lord Jesus.
Find me here, speak to me
I want to feel You, I need to hear You
You are the light, that is leading me
To the place where I find peace…again
You are the strength that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
You are the life to my soul
You are my purpose, You are everything
And how can I stand here with You
and not be moved by You?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
You calm the storms, You give me rest
You hold me in Your hands, You won’t let me fall
You still my heart and You take my breath away
Would you take me in? Would you take me deeper now?
‘Cause You’re all I want, You’re all I need
You’re everything, everything
You’re all I want, You’re all I need
You’re everything, everything
Words & Music by Jason Wade
Every year about this time I like to re-visit the instructions for canning pumpkin and/or yams, since it is a question that tends to come up in the fall season when these items are plentiful.
The latest research by Dept. of Ag experts has determined that it is not safe to puree pumpkin and/or yams for canning. Being vegetables, both yams and pumpkins must be pressure canned. The temperature of the food in the jar must get hot enough all the way through. Since pureed pumpkin and yams are so dense, research has shown that even after a very long processing time, the internal temperatures do not reach safe levels for a long enough period to insure that all bacterias, molds, etc. have been killed or neutralized. The food toward the outside of the jar would be woefully overprocessed by the time the food at the core was properly done.
But, don’t despair – you can still safely can pumpkins and yams. You just need to pack them in chunks instead of pureeing them.
Pumpkin
Wash, cut in half and remove seeds. Cut pumpkin up into hunks that will fit in your jar. Remove the skin, cover with water and boil for two minutes. Drain, reserving hot liquid, and pack cubes into hot jars (wide mouth pint or quart), leaving 1/2" headspace. Bring cooking water back to a boil and fill jars, leaving 1/2" headspace. Apply the lids and rims. Process at 10 lbs. pressure – 55 minutes for pints, 90 minutes for quarts.
Yams
Boil yams just long enough to get skins to slip off (about 20 minutes). Remove skins, cut away bad spots and cut into manageable hunks lengthwise. Pack hot into hot jars (reheat them if necessary after handling) leaving 1" of headspace. Add boiling water, leaving 1" of headspace. Apply lids and rims. Process at 10 lbs. pressure – 65 minutes for pints, 90 minutes for quarts.
You are welcome to write to me with any questions. Be sure to check out my website and request your free introductory issue of my newsletter – New Harvest Homestead!
Lisa
New Harvest