The Simple Homemaker

Prayers Needed

   First let me say that I havn't been blogging  much of late due to the fact that "LIFE" is happening all around me, so please forgive me. I do intend to come back full time once things settle down.

   My mom is going down hill a little more with each new day. As of yesterday she has blood in her catherter bag, lots of blood. We knew that the catherter would cause infections, so there it goes.  Things not any better with my husband, divorce more than likely still  happening.

   But even that is not the worst of things going on right now. As many of you are aware there is a storm, Gustav, in the Gulf of Mexico. Well they are predicting it's land fall, as of now, to be none other than on yours truly, lol. Yes it is headed straight for us.  We live approx 50 or so miles north of the gulf. And with my home being an older one, it can no longer be insured, so we would lose everything. My car is on the blink right now so leaving is out of the question, and even if we did have a  good vehicle, mom can't travel.

  When I tell you I have never been so scared, it's not a lie. I have lived through so many storms here in Louisiana and none has ever effected me like this one is. That is why  I am asking for you wonderful people to pray for us down here in the south. I know it's hard to pray for it to go somewhere else, cuz that would mean it has to hit some one else. I am a nervous wreck to say the least. I have been on the edge for several weeks now about mom and her condition and this storm is kicking my butt but good. All of this is taking a great toll on me physically too. I have lost almost 20 lbs in the last two weeks. Although I am excited about the weigth loss, it's not the healthiest of ways to do it. I am feeling the effects of the stress on my body, and I have to say, I'm a little worried about that too.

   SOOOOOOO ladies, PLEASE pray for us. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer and that is why I am posting this.   I will probably be without power for sometime if hits us ( i hope that is the worst of it, I can live with that), so I will update as soon as I can.

PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS...................MUCH LOVE......KITTY

This is....

     This is what we women dream about.

                 This is reality.

              This is the goal.

                  This is how it is accomplished.

                     Any Questions?

Can you remove a friends list?

Hello Homestead bloggers.  I'd like to say a special hello to the handfull of ladies that posted on my blog, asking about me since I've been away from the computer.  Thank you Trixi, Farrah and Julia  and of course, Kitty who is a close friend that I keep in touch with in other ways.   

I'm dissappointed that one can go from being a long standing  "top commenter" here  (one who reads and comments on others' blogs) to not blogging at all for a long time and come back to wonder if all those friends from my "friends list" even cared I'd been away.  Plus bunches had removed me as a friend of theirs altogether I noticed.  So I'm hurt but won't stay that way.        Blogging is strange....

On a different note some of the things that have been going on have been:

We took a short trip to Memphis with hubby on business.

My hubby's dad has been really sick and in the hospital.

Our oldest daughter is in hospital passing kidney stones.

Been gathering lots of eggs.  (getting double yolks from our new chickens!  I'll take a pic soon of the pretty baby blues and greens and avacado green and browns and white eggs.)

Got lots of rain from Faye which relieved our parched area.

Gearing up for Gustav here in South Mississippi  : (  When Katrina hit we were without power for over a week and lost all our food in freezers/fridg, waited in long lines to get gas that got higher by the minute, lots of clean up, etc....We're going tonight to the store to stock up on some things for the storm.  We've already got some batteries.  And since Katrina we've gotten a generator and a window unit air conditioner so we can at least stay in the house during 90 plus temps outside if the power goes out. 

Lots of things going on at Church.  I'll be teaching 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School for the new Church year again and it will begin Sept. 1st.

Our 26th Wedding Anniversary is next Wednesday.

Our oldest granddaughter turned 5 this week.  Her party is Saturday.

Our 3rd grandchild is due Thanksgiving day!  It's a boy!

Several little trips planned to flea markets and such.

My first post in so long should be more exciting but maybe next time.   With pictures! 

~God bless everyone~

Updates from the Homestead

Yesterday was such a nice sunny day..  a day to enjoy our pond and the sunshine . Today is promising to be the same. The nice weather is an appreciated change from the stint of cool wet weather we had; looks like we are back to summer weather for a few days.  I am not really ready to head into fall quite yet. The cooler weather however did get me in the soup making mode. Yesterday I made veggie beef soup and it was yummy. I put a couple individual servings of it in the freezer for Tobin’s lunches while I am gone.

While I am gone Emily and Leanne will be holding down the fort. I have meals lined up for them to cook, groceries in the house, and should have just about everything I need to do, done! It is a blessed feeling to know that my girls are able to handle the house, the kids and the meals and pack dad’s lunch while I am gone. I will try and update you when I leave and who knows, maybe while I am there if I am not too busy. 

On Wednesday the girls and I (and Isaac) went to town. Emily took her Western Civilization 2 CLEP test and passed (YEA!!). Then we went grocery shopping at Costco and then went to Starbucks and got our coffee and ended up at Ikea perusing the store with coffees in hand. Emily bought a book shelf for her bedroom. She has a really small room and was drowning in lack of organization. So now the books have a place to go. We saw some cute little baskets that hang on the wall.. but they were out of stock. We will check back next week (or when I get back.. something I keep saying often now). She thought that would be a perfect way to make a place for things and look pretty. She will be all organized before you know it and then there won’t be ANY reason why we can’t see her bed on some days.. right???  

Today I have house cleaning on my list and laundry. I really need to get some soap made before I go so I will try and get things set up to do that so I can make it tomorrow (if I am still here ).  Sierra, Isaac and I will be heading to the recycling center to take in our recycling. Jacob has been working all week for a neighbor and will continue that today. And we have school to do as well. Dinner tonight will be chicken pot pie and a salad. Emily and Leanne won’t be here so I will have to adjust my recipe so I don’t have too many leftovers.

That is all for today… Hope you all have a great weekend on your homesteads! 

Brown paper packages, all tied up with string...

     I was so excited today!  Today was the day that my daughter was to receive a special package from us!  We told Anna that we would like to buy her the stroller that she wanted, so we were sending her the check by certified mail.  Teehee--there was no certified mail--we put the check in a rather large package filled with new baby outfits, blankets, etc.  I have been on the pins and needles of excitment to hear her excitment by phone.  When the phone rang at about three p.m. today, I grabbed it knowing what was going on--on the other end.  Sure enough, Will, my son-in-law had called me to thank us for the package.  He and Anna were totally surprised!  Yipee!  (I love surprises like this one!)  They were so appreciative, happy, excited and at times speechless!  (Which is a feat with these two--believe me.)  Anyway, they were very pleased and I was so satisfied that I could have burst!

    I think God is like this, too!  Don't you think that God gets excited to see, hear and experience our joy with His gifts?  Whether the gifts are answered prayers or unanswered prayers-because he knows what we need and what will truly make us be content and give Him glory.  Yes, I think there are enough joyful examples in scripture that would concur with my hypothesis that God jumps for joy with us when He makes us happy.  Noah's joy for dry land; Moses' joy for his freed brothers; David's joy before the ark of the covenant; the father of the prodical son on his return; Paul's joy over faithful churches-and of course, God when He said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."  Yep, God gets excited too!  That just makes me smile and smile and smile--doesn't this thought have the same effect on you?

     There were some other things that went on at the Beale Bungalow today.  I planned out my first week of Seth's schooling lessons.  For some reason I had such a problem doing this task.  I don't know why, but today everything clicked and I have the entire first week planned and a workable schedule for the both of us written down on paper--in pencil, of course.  I do everything in pencil just in case something comes up and there is a need to change the "best laid plans".  This way I don't feel like a failure--I just erase and start all over.  It works for me....

     Seth and I went to a feed and seed store today and bought some collard seedlings; some broccoli, Wakefield cabbage, and romaine lettuce plants.  Donnie is going to till the garden this weekend, so you know where I will be--in the dirt! 

     Donnie's eldest son, Lee came by.  He is a single father of two boys, ages 13 and 11--who are in Italy for three years.  Now, Lee is miserable.  He is lonely and misses his sons terribly.  So, when he comes over, which is usually around suppertime, I just set another plate and pour another glass of tea.  Lee is always welcomed.  I am called to fill his tummy, pray for his soul and make him feel totally at home--that is all I can do for now, so smaller portions and flexibility was the order for today! 

     I have only one task left for the day--iron my husband's Don Ho shirt.  This is what he and his office mates call the Hawiian shirts they all wear on Fridays.  They call Friday--Don Ho Day.  They have had theis tradition for years and years.  They have actually made the shipyard newspaper, The Yardbird, because of the longevity and the 100% participation in the shop planners office.  So, it is off to the ironing board I go.

      I do hope everyone has had a nice day!

                          God Bless! 

Enjoying the simple things in life...

Hello my dear, dear friends... I hope this evening finds you all well. 
I have had some things on my heart that I want to share with you tonight, some news from my husband that makes these things even more real to me.  On this roller coaster ride of life we don't know what the next turn will hold... whether we will be plummeting into a valley or climbing a high mountain... It is uncertain, it is sometimes frightening... but we as children of the Living God have a safe and secure end to all of this twisting and turning. 
My husband has just informed me that he may be losing his job come Tuesday.  It is a sudden blow to our family.  It is scary, but it is not something that our God, Jehovah-Jireh, The One who Provides, can't handle.  He is able.
So my mind is how we can be even more frugal minded than we already are.  Suppers can be made a bit more cheaply and stretched a bit farther, I have my website that I am trying to sale some things and my Etsy.  We don't do a whole lot of extra-curricular activities so that is not a big thing.  I try and limit my trips to run errands... maybe instead of once a week I could make it once every two weeks.  And these things are well and good... BUT... I don't want them to cloud my focus.  I don't want them to dampen my spirit and choke my joy. 
Things that are precious to me, things that are simple and lovely and good... I am going to focus on those...
God's sweet promises
A good morning kiss from my husband
The early morning snuggle time with my children
The rain on the roof
Freshly picked vegetables from the garden
Hearing my children pray
Seeing kindness from my kids to their siblings or others
The strong arms of my husband
Snowflakes
Beautiful skies painted by God's own hand
Piano Music
Laughter
Open windows and a gentle breeze
Candlelight
Church hymns sung acapella
Warm soup on a cold and dreary day
My husband reading the Bible to our family
Homemade gifts
Flowers
Smiles
Hearing, I love you Moma
These things and more are the real and true things, the things to be treasuring... not the material, not the temporal...
We trust that through this valley God will be glorified... that He will be lifted up.  That He holds us with His Almighty Hand and we can be at peace knowing He will never let us fall.
God be with you dear ones.

Going Away...

Graphic courtesy of www.doverpublications.com

Tomorrow morning my ten year old son and I are heading up North. We are going to visit my parents in Kentucky. Friday night, when we arrive, we'll just relax with my parents with a nice home cooked dinner (finally not cooked by yours truly ;0)).

Saturday morning my Mother and I are having brunch with my old Girl Scout troop. Believe it or not after 13 years we are all still good friends. Actually as we have gotten older I think it is very important to grow closer to your childhood friends. With my living over 400 miles away and family obligations I know that I have not made enough of an effort to keep in touch. Now, I am determined that whenever possible, to get together when I am in town (they all live in the same city).

Saturday evening my youngest cousin, not second cousin mind you, is getting married in an outdoor ceremony. It is not supposed to rain, but dear me, it is supposed to be 90 degrees! She is getting married young, but she has such a good head on her shoulders that I know she and her intended will do just grand.

Sunday morning we will probably attend church (if we are not too tired from the wedding and subsequent one and one-half hour return drive) then we usually go to lunch after church. Late that afternoon we are to go to my paternal Grandmother's 87th birthday party! I have a great relationship with both of my Grandmother's and for that I am thankful and blessed.

Monday morning Bryson and I will headed back home to the Peach state! I hope we have time either on the way up or on the way back to stop in my favorite little town, Bell Buckle, Tennessee. If you are ever travelling down I-24 you need to stop!

I hope to be able to announce the winner of the No Greater Joy prize on Monday, but if I cannot then it will be announced first thing Tuesday morning! Good luck to all who have and will continue to enter. Also next week I think it is time to talk about Fall fashions. I want to talk about what is "in" for this fall and also talk about how we can wear what is "in" modestly.

Have a wonderful weekend and Labor Day!

Blessings!

Camping This Weekend!!!

We are going camping this weekend with family to Wright's Beach, CA.  It is along the Sonoma Coast of California.  I have never been - looked on internet to find a picture - lol!  I can't seem to download and so I will try to post some pics when we get back.  Hope everyone has a blessed LAbor Day Weekend!

Flossie

Canning is Fun!

Well, canning seemed so scary to me and the more I do, the more I like.  I think like anything else in life we need to stumble and just push through.  You also need to get a routine down. When I know I want to can I run the dishwasher with my jars in while I cut the fruit or veggies.  By the time I cut them and cook them the jars are washed and sterilized - make sure hot dry is on :)

I also leave the canning pot on my stove so it is there and I don't need to find - but please empty the water out between each canning - can reek havok on your pot - lol!

two nights ago I mad Cucumber relish - a little spicy but good - I think I would like a sweeter version but my hubby likes.  I got 8 pints put up - 4 pints = a quart and guess what - 2 quarts made... :)

Blessings,

Flossie

PS  If you have apples or pears, make applesauce or pear sauce.  This is SOOOOOOOOOO easy.  Just cut up the fruit and cook in a stainless steal pot - non aluminum works - add lemon juice (they say from bottle and not fresh - I know there is a reason but I don't but I am following instructions!) and cook until soft.  I use my husband's grandmother's potato mashed to make smaller pieces for my kids.  While it is hot, put into jars and then process according to instructions - water bath is 20 - 25 minutes for fruit.

ALL my kids love both the pear sauce and the applesauce.  Yummy and nutritious!!!

Tasha Tudor turns 93 today please read..

I got this in an email this morning.. Please read and remember Tasha Tudor she was such a wonderful lady..

Sister Brenda

Dear The C Farm, Celebrating a birthday is an especially important tradition. The opportunity for friends and family to focus on one person and consider what makes them unique is an important one. August 28th would have been Tasha's 93rd birthday.  Today, we are celebrating Tasha's life with close family and friends.  A beautiful cake graces the table and honey-lavender ice cream is being cranked by hand in the old-fashioned freezer.  After the cake and ice cream, we'll spend the afternoon needle-felting and reminiscing about Tasha. As we celebrate her birthday and consider the gifts she offered everyone, we encourage others to do the same: take a moment for tea, plant a special flower or read through a favorite Tasha book.

Public Memorial Service

Please join us to celebrate Tasha Tudor's life on Friday September 12, 6:45-8:30 pm at the Adams Family Farm in Wilmington, Vermont.  The event will begin just before dusk.  We'll take a short walk to the pond where there will be a brief ceremony. Those who wish may take part in floating candles on the pond in the twilight. After this ceremony, you may continue to reminisce around the beautiful bonfire.  There is no charge for admittance, but you do need to reserve a spot ahead of time by calling 802.257.4444.  We'll begin taking reservation on Tuesday, September 2nd