Whew!
The applesauce is done! Yippeee! We actually got it done yesterday. Today we did some detail cleaning in the kitchen, packed up the canning stuff, and got it put away. then, as per Dh's instructions I took a nap this afternoon and just took it easy. I feel well rested now, and ready to start the next round of projects, which is wrapping Christmas presents, and getting some sewing done before baby arrives. There is still some shopping left to be done, but the majority of it is over. Dh is also fixing a small dresser for the baby's stuff, so when he is done with that we will set up a small nursery area in our room... portacrib, dresser, birthing supplies, that sort of thing.
School this week was very basic, as the children were wonderful helpers! They did all the running up and down stairs to get jars and lids, and helped wash apples, and were general gophers. My oldest son loved using hte Squeezo machine, and ended up doing most of it. Dh helped with the cleanup at night. It was truly a group effort, and I am so thankful for my good helpers!
We also got our second load of wood the other day. More stacking ahead! The woodstove is working out wonderfully. We have been using it for 4+ weeks, and the furnace hasn't run for anything but domestic water. It is already showing a huge savings for heat. What we have should be enough to get us through the winter. The temperatures here are such that it doesn't take much to heat the house, especially with wood. We'll see how we do when it gets colder. There may be times overnight when the woodstove doesn't keep up and the furnace will run, but even so, we'll still save a lot on the fuel bill supplementing with the woodstove.
Well, I can smell supper cooking.. I have some pork chops, squash, and potatoes in the oven baking. I am sure dh will be looking to eat soon, so I better go get some of my good helpers to set the table.
Ya'll have a blessed evening!
The Beehive Buzz
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Interesting Statistics
Sobering Statistics:
Regardless of where you stand on the issue of the U.S. involvement in Iraq, here is a sobering statistic: There has been a monthly average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theatre of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2,867 deaths. That gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers. The firearm death rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 per 100,000 persons for the same period. That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in the U.S. Capital than you are in Iraq.
Conclusion: The U.S. should pull out of Washington.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue of the U.S. involvement in Iraq, here is a sobering statistic: There has been a monthly average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theatre of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2,867 deaths. That gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers. The firearm death rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 per 100,000 persons for the same period. That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in the U.S. Capital than you are in Iraq.
Conclusion: The U.S. should pull out of Washington.
Just Do It!
No, this isn't a Nike add.
I think all of us have tasks that we tend to, well, procrastinate about. Right now one of my biggest jobs that I put off is the ironing. The slight bending over, the heat, the standing up for that length of time, all get to me right now. Excusable, some would say, this close to the end of a pregnancy, but nontheless, I felt convicted about it for a couple weeks now. The basket I keep for ironing was full, and we were doing the very bare minimum just for Sunday's. Now with 8 people, that can add up.
The last couple weeks have been so busy here that I felt comfortable ignoring that basket in the corner of my room. But as I eyed it over the last couple days, I just knew I was going to have to deal with it sooner than later. Monday and Tuesday I had the excuse of doing applesauce. But today, we are taking a day off from canning since we have church tonight. I believe the Lord prompted me to think.. "this is the day I am going to catch up on the ironing!". Now, after I had my cup of java this morning, I was actually looking forward to conquering the Mt. St. Iron. Now that HAD to be from the Lord. So, while I assigned sundry chores to the children, I got at it. I wasn't sure if I would finish all the basket load, but I did, with the Lord's help. My back hurts, my hips hurt, and I am HOT, but it is caught up and that is a satisfying feeling. With pinafore dresses for all three girls, a kazillion dress shirts, and a couple of dresses for me all neat and tidy, ready for use, hanging in the closets... I am thankful that job is done.
Procrastination can be in any task that is put off just because we don't want to do it. What is your least favorite job, that tends to get pushed aside? My encouragement to you today is:
JUST DO IT!
I think all of us have tasks that we tend to, well, procrastinate about. Right now one of my biggest jobs that I put off is the ironing. The slight bending over, the heat, the standing up for that length of time, all get to me right now. Excusable, some would say, this close to the end of a pregnancy, but nontheless, I felt convicted about it for a couple weeks now. The basket I keep for ironing was full, and we were doing the very bare minimum just for Sunday's. Now with 8 people, that can add up.
The last couple weeks have been so busy here that I felt comfortable ignoring that basket in the corner of my room. But as I eyed it over the last couple days, I just knew I was going to have to deal with it sooner than later. Monday and Tuesday I had the excuse of doing applesauce. But today, we are taking a day off from canning since we have church tonight. I believe the Lord prompted me to think.. "this is the day I am going to catch up on the ironing!". Now, after I had my cup of java this morning, I was actually looking forward to conquering the Mt. St. Iron. Now that HAD to be from the Lord. So, while I assigned sundry chores to the children, I got at it. I wasn't sure if I would finish all the basket load, but I did, with the Lord's help. My back hurts, my hips hurt, and I am HOT, but it is caught up and that is a satisfying feeling. With pinafore dresses for all three girls, a kazillion dress shirts, and a couple of dresses for me all neat and tidy, ready for use, hanging in the closets... I am thankful that job is done.
Procrastination can be in any task that is put off just because we don't want to do it. What is your least favorite job, that tends to get pushed aside? My encouragement to you today is:
JUST DO IT!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The applesauce factory is up and running!
I hope you all had a blessed holiday! Thanksgiving wasvery nice here, and relaxing for me since I kept getting shoo'd out of the kitchen to go and rest. At 36 plus weeks preggers I am very slow moving and must look a little rickety when I walk. LOL... at any rate, less than four weeks to go, and I have several projects I want to get done before the baby arrives.
One is our applesauce. We have 7 bushels of apples to do up... well, HAD seven bushels. Yesterday and today we have busily jumping right in and trying to do 2 bushels a day, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and the last one on Friday.
If you are doing more than a bushel of apples, I highly reccomend using a Squeezo machine. It is somewhat of a pain to clean, but so worth it in the time you save in making the applesauce! Here is a pic of ours, all shiney and clean before we ran two bushels of apples thru it today.
One is our applesauce. We have 7 bushels of apples to do up... well, HAD seven bushels. Yesterday and today we have busily jumping right in and trying to do 2 bushels a day, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and the last one on Friday.
If you are doing more than a bushel of apples, I highly reccomend using a Squeezo machine. It is somewhat of a pain to clean, but so worth it in the time you save in making the applesauce! Here is a pic of ours, all shiney and clean before we ran two bushels of apples thru it today.
The next thing we do, is wash all the apples... I have lots of little washers to help out with this step. For some reason they all like to do it.
Then there is the cooking down, which doesn't really take that long, especially with Mac's (our favorite). After they are washed I cut the apples in fourths, removing any bad spots if neccessary, and throw them in the pot. After they are cooked, we put them thru the Sqeezo, and it removes stems, seeds, and skin. We end up with some nice, thick, nutritious applesauce.
Then, of course, time for the Squeezo to do its job:
And the yummy results....
Yesterday we did 31 quarts of applesauce. They all sealed, except for one quart, which we put out of its misery at breakfast this morning. One more pic.. not of applesauce, but of a blessing from the Lord this morning:
It was much prettier in real life, but I ran outside, well, waddled outside to get this pic. It was a blessed reminder of God's love and promises to us.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Does this make your blood boil?
http://www.newstarget.com/022267.html
This should. It is against everything Americans are for. I read somewhere that the problem wasn't so much about vaxing, as about truancy. If that is so, then why the forced vaccinations? At gunpoint??? Puhleeze. Whether or not you are for vaxing, you should be for freedom of choice as a parent. The state should not be able to force you to do any kind of medical procedure, and in most states, that is the law, including MD. So, why is this being allowed? If the issue is truancy, why are parents being threatened at gunpoint with jailtime, and their children being vaxed against the parent's wishes/religious beliefs? Even if it was truancy, so what? Shouldn't parent's be allowed the choice of whether or not their children go to public school, without hassle? What is the purpose of all the paperwork anyway?
The bottom line is that the school systems, the medical community don't care about you or your children. It is all about the $$. The more children in public school, the more federal funding they have. The more people that vax their children, the more money the "Big Pharm" will make.
Time for we Americans to wake up, and take notice of what is going on with our so-called rights. How long before those gestapo tactics are in YOUR state, in YOUR hometown? I dare say our forefathers are rolling over in their graves.
This should. It is against everything Americans are for. I read somewhere that the problem wasn't so much about vaxing, as about truancy. If that is so, then why the forced vaccinations? At gunpoint??? Puhleeze. Whether or not you are for vaxing, you should be for freedom of choice as a parent. The state should not be able to force you to do any kind of medical procedure, and in most states, that is the law, including MD. So, why is this being allowed? If the issue is truancy, why are parents being threatened at gunpoint with jailtime, and their children being vaxed against the parent's wishes/religious beliefs? Even if it was truancy, so what? Shouldn't parent's be allowed the choice of whether or not their children go to public school, without hassle? What is the purpose of all the paperwork anyway?
The bottom line is that the school systems, the medical community don't care about you or your children. It is all about the $$. The more children in public school, the more federal funding they have. The more people that vax their children, the more money the "Big Pharm" will make.
Time for we Americans to wake up, and take notice of what is going on with our so-called rights. How long before those gestapo tactics are in YOUR state, in YOUR hometown? I dare say our forefathers are rolling over in their graves.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving.. well, a couple days early.
We are about to enter what I call "crunch time" for Thanksgiving. Tonight we clean the rec area, and tidy the guest room and bathroom downstairs. Tomorrow I need to cook squash, make dinner rolls, and we will be cleaning the upstairs.
Today we had school, and I finished my stepmother's quilt, and our deacon came over to put in the registers in the floor so the heat from the wood stove would filter up better. Persnonally, I think it is plenty warm enough, but dh says that is because I am so preggers. He says that I am not cool enough unless everyone else is turning blue. Hardy har har. Anyway, I am glad the registers got put in today and not tomorrow during our cleaning spree.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Looking forward into this week
What a busy week we have! With Thanksgiving on Thursday, and schoolwork, and cleaning, and finishing up a quilt, and doing some Christmas wrapping, and preparing for our big meal, I am finding the next few days already filled to the brim. I am already praying for the Lord to give me the strength I need. Nothing is really "stressful" just I am moving slower and need to rest more. Only about 4 more weeks until our newest blessing's arrival, and I am very much looking forward to it.
I have made a general "to do" list for the next few days but still need to figure out what needs to be which day, and how best to delegate to my helpers.
Oh, and last night when we left church we were greeted by snow! It was falling softly through the air, and I must say very pretty. It only amounted to a dusting overnight, but with the sun shining on it this morning, it is quite lovely.
Alas for real life.. children are up and about, and there is laundry to start, breakfast to get, etc. etc. You all have a blessed and peaceful day!
I have made a general "to do" list for the next few days but still need to figure out what needs to be which day, and how best to delegate to my helpers.
Oh, and last night when we left church we were greeted by snow! It was falling softly through the air, and I must say very pretty. It only amounted to a dusting overnight, but with the sun shining on it this morning, it is quite lovely.
Alas for real life.. children are up and about, and there is laundry to start, breakfast to get, etc. etc. You all have a blessed and peaceful day!
"Your" social security
My Dad sent this to me in an email. I found it most interesting.
Your Social Security
Just in case some of you young & older ones didn't know this It's easily checked out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat of Republican. Facts are Facts!!!
Our Social Security:
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be Completely voluntary.
2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the Program
3.) That the money the participants elected to put Into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year
4.) That the money the participants put into the Independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees Would never be taxed as income.
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and aren now receiving a Social Security check every month --and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% ofThe money we paid to the Federal government to "put Away" -- you may be interested in the following:
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the Independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the General fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically Controlled House and Senate
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax Deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding ?
A: The Democratic Party.
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities ?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US .
Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving Annuity payments to immigrants? AND MY FAVORITE :
A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it! Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it! If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so. But it's worth a try.
Actions speak louder than bumper stickers.
Your Social Security
Just in case some of you young & older ones didn't know this It's easily checked out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat of Republican. Facts are Facts!!!
Our Social Security:
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be Completely voluntary.
2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the Program
3.) That the money the participants elected to put Into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year
4.) That the money the participants put into the Independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees Would never be taxed as income.
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and aren now receiving a Social Security check every month --and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% ofThe money we paid to the Federal government to "put Away" -- you may be interested in the following:
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the Independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the General fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically Controlled House and Senate
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax Deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding ?
A: The Democratic Party.
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities ?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US .
Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving Annuity payments to immigrants? AND MY FAVORITE :
A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it! Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it! If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so. But it's worth a try.
Actions speak louder than bumper stickers.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Busy as a beehive... so what else is new?
Whew! What a day it has been. We have been busy since we got up. We had pumpkin pancakes for breakfast, then stripped all the beds and created a nice mountain of laundry to deal with. After sundry distractions, one of the girls and I left to do some shopping and dh and the other set up to stack wood. We were blessed by a delivery of about 7 1/2 face cords of seasoned, cut and split wood from the church. We have been trying to get it stacked inside as much as possible. When I say "we" I mean dh and children. At 35 weeks preggers, I'm not carting much wood around. :)
For those who don't know, we were blessed to have the woodstove and new chimney installed a few weeks ago. It has been wonderful to have wood heat again! I'll have to post a pic here of the stove. It was given to us, from a friend. It had been stored for a couple years, and was very rusty. My oldest ds went at it with a steel brush, got all the rust off, then dh painted it. It looks brand new! We have set it up in the basement (finished), and have a little reading/rec area down there now. It is quite cozy!
Anyway, when I got back from shopping, my back hurt, I had ligaments hurting, and I was SO tired! It was after 2, so my dd and I had a quick lunch then I laid down on the couch for a little bit. She made some bread (see pic above) for me. At 9 years old, she can do way more in the kitchen than I could when I first got married! My oldest son also loves to cook, and made the cake for my dh's bday, which we are celebrating tomorrow.
Dh left to go calling, and I wrapped his bday presents. When he got back, he and some of the children continued stacking. I worked on some quilting. I am so thankful for machine quilting! I would never get this quilt done in time otherwise. This one HAS to be done before my dad and stepmom get out here Wednesday night. Whew!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Lydia's Quilt
Here is a quilt I made for my neice, Lydia, who was born 8 weeks prematurely. Many, many prayers have been said on her behalf, and the Lord has graciously allowed her to leave the hospital with her mom and dad, much ealier than expected. She is such a cutie!
Let's see if I can do this trick!
Here is a wall hanging I just completed for my dad for his birthday. Let's hope he doesn't visit my blog before he gets his gift! :)
Today's ramblings and introduction
Well, here it goes. I just wanted to do a little introduction, then I guess I will jump right in.
I have 6 children, with number 7 due around Dec. 21st. Their ages range from 11 down to almost 3. My dh and I have been married for 16 1/2 years, and I can say without exaggeration that every year gets better. My dh is my best friend, and also happens to be my pastor. :)
We are a conservative family, trying to live simply, though life has a way of getting complicated in a hurry. We are enjoying homeschooling our children, training them, loving them, and bringing them up in the admonition of the Lord to the best of our ability.
Let's get a few things straight right now, things that are of interest in different Christians circles. While I don't have a problem with those that differ with us on these things, I think I will just go through a litany of "religious practices" so you know where we stand. Why we stand where we do I will get to at later dates.
We wear dresses and skirts. We do not headcover, but dh prefers long hair on us gals. I do not use cloth diapers at present, but have in the past. We joyously celebrate Christmas, but don't do Satan Claus. We do not partake of Jewish feasts as outlined in the OT; we are Gentiles, saved by grace. I do not think celebrating the Jewish feasts are sinful, nor do I think they make you closer to the Lord, or mare spiritual than those who don't. I love homeschooling. I do shop at Walmarts. I use only the KJV and believe it to be an accurate translation that God preserved for us. I believe all other versions are not God's preserved Word, because if they were translated from the Wescott and Hort, that means they were translated by unregenerate men. We do not approve of CCM at all in any form. I believe children are a blessing and not a curse, but also a lot of work. I fly the flag with pride, and am very glad to be an American, though I know the morals of the country need help. I believe in voting. I believe in supporting our troops, and yes, I think we are doing the right thing in Iraq, and fully believe if we just pull out of there suddenly there will be a repeat of the aftermath of the same in Vietnam. I don't think Bush should have ever been impeached, and think that if you don't liekt he leadership, or support our troops, or speak english as your primary language, or pay taxes, then you should excercise some of the freedoms you are enjoying at our expense and move out of the country. I like migrants should earn their own living and not use us as a hammock. I think they should pay taxes, and speak our language, and also pledge allegiance to the AMERICAN flag. If they are living in our country, they should abide by our rules and loyalties. If they don't like that, they are welcome to leave.
Okay... enough of that. That covers all the basics I think. LOL. Again, those are our beliefs, but if you don't agree, then that is fine. I should point out now that there is no debating here about any of the above.
On our agenda for today is the regular Friday routines... school, chores, laundry, and I have some sewing to do, that I need to get done before next Wednesday. Oh, and I need to start the crock pot for supper!
Praying for you all to have a peaceful and blessed day in the Lord!
I have 6 children, with number 7 due around Dec. 21st. Their ages range from 11 down to almost 3. My dh and I have been married for 16 1/2 years, and I can say without exaggeration that every year gets better. My dh is my best friend, and also happens to be my pastor. :)
We are a conservative family, trying to live simply, though life has a way of getting complicated in a hurry. We are enjoying homeschooling our children, training them, loving them, and bringing them up in the admonition of the Lord to the best of our ability.
Let's get a few things straight right now, things that are of interest in different Christians circles. While I don't have a problem with those that differ with us on these things, I think I will just go through a litany of "religious practices" so you know where we stand. Why we stand where we do I will get to at later dates.
We wear dresses and skirts. We do not headcover, but dh prefers long hair on us gals. I do not use cloth diapers at present, but have in the past. We joyously celebrate Christmas, but don't do Satan Claus. We do not partake of Jewish feasts as outlined in the OT; we are Gentiles, saved by grace. I do not think celebrating the Jewish feasts are sinful, nor do I think they make you closer to the Lord, or mare spiritual than those who don't. I love homeschooling. I do shop at Walmarts. I use only the KJV and believe it to be an accurate translation that God preserved for us. I believe all other versions are not God's preserved Word, because if they were translated from the Wescott and Hort, that means they were translated by unregenerate men. We do not approve of CCM at all in any form. I believe children are a blessing and not a curse, but also a lot of work. I fly the flag with pride, and am very glad to be an American, though I know the morals of the country need help. I believe in voting. I believe in supporting our troops, and yes, I think we are doing the right thing in Iraq, and fully believe if we just pull out of there suddenly there will be a repeat of the aftermath of the same in Vietnam. I don't think Bush should have ever been impeached, and think that if you don't liekt he leadership, or support our troops, or speak english as your primary language, or pay taxes, then you should excercise some of the freedoms you are enjoying at our expense and move out of the country. I like migrants should earn their own living and not use us as a hammock. I think they should pay taxes, and speak our language, and also pledge allegiance to the AMERICAN flag. If they are living in our country, they should abide by our rules and loyalties. If they don't like that, they are welcome to leave.
Okay... enough of that. That covers all the basics I think. LOL. Again, those are our beliefs, but if you don't agree, then that is fine. I should point out now that there is no debating here about any of the above.
On our agenda for today is the regular Friday routines... school, chores, laundry, and I have some sewing to do, that I need to get done before next Wednesday. Oh, and I need to start the crock pot for supper!
Praying for you all to have a peaceful and blessed day in the Lord!
I have finally taken the plunge!
Bear with me as I try and get this all set up. I have NO clue what I am doing! LOL. I will be learning as I go here. :)
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