Family
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Paper Dream Winner
Janelmartin, you are the winner of the Paper Dream DVD. Please email me at jeffandanita@wildblue.net with your full mailing address. Hope you enjoy!!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Busy Hands and Minds....Really!!
We've been keeping our hands busy by moving chicken tractors and constantly watering and feeding 90 Cornish Cross chickens several times a day. These chicks eat! And with the temps in the 100s this week, watering is extremely important.
I wish watering the garden would insure a good crop, but it seems that our soil (even in the raised beds) and the heat are taking a toll on our garden. I think Jeff has decided that buying fresh produce from friends or farmers' markets would be cheaper for us in the long run. Despite our meager yields we have been canning green beans, blueberries and making various jams and jellies. I've dehydrated onions and made caramelized onions that I'll be canning today. This brings us to the end of a 50 pound bag of onions that we purchased for only 5 bucks. Yep!! Good deal!!
http://canninggranny.blogspot.com/2011/05/canning-caramelized-onions.html
We've also bagged up gallons of blueberries and strawberries for use throughout the year. Today I'll be making up cranberry applesauce in the crockpots to can later. I recently bought 40 pounds of apples for about 16 dollars and have lots of cranberries in the freezer. We love a combination of cranberries and apples, so I am going to use them up! The cranberries have been in the freezer for 2 years when I found a great deal on them after Christmas and I am diligently trying to use up the frozen fruits and veggies in the freezer so we will have room for those 90 chickens that will be slaughtered in a couple of weeks.
In the dehydrator I've been drying sage, oregano, zucchini and blueberries. I'll do some of those apples as well. We love having dried apples on hand for granola and now a new favorite, fried dried apple pies...Oh, My!!
For school, we've been doing at least two days worth of math each day, working on grammar and studying Egypt which involves lots of reading, research and writing for my 15 and 13 year old children. The 7 year old is working along at his math and phonics and has enjoyed a light bird study this summer. He is excited about a family trip to the beach next month so he can see some sand pipers and other water birds. We will also get to visit an Audobon bird sanctuary which is on the island we will be staying on. We've been reading the Childhood of Famous Americans biography about Audobon for the last few weeks.
I'll stop with a link to a great post by Amy at Homestead Revival. Some great information. http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/06/debt-crisis-homesteading.html
I wish watering the garden would insure a good crop, but it seems that our soil (even in the raised beds) and the heat are taking a toll on our garden. I think Jeff has decided that buying fresh produce from friends or farmers' markets would be cheaper for us in the long run. Despite our meager yields we have been canning green beans, blueberries and making various jams and jellies. I've dehydrated onions and made caramelized onions that I'll be canning today. This brings us to the end of a 50 pound bag of onions that we purchased for only 5 bucks. Yep!! Good deal!!
http://canninggranny.blogspot.com/2011/05/canning-caramelized-onions.html
We've also bagged up gallons of blueberries and strawberries for use throughout the year. Today I'll be making up cranberry applesauce in the crockpots to can later. I recently bought 40 pounds of apples for about 16 dollars and have lots of cranberries in the freezer. We love a combination of cranberries and apples, so I am going to use them up! The cranberries have been in the freezer for 2 years when I found a great deal on them after Christmas and I am diligently trying to use up the frozen fruits and veggies in the freezer so we will have room for those 90 chickens that will be slaughtered in a couple of weeks.
In the dehydrator I've been drying sage, oregano, zucchini and blueberries. I'll do some of those apples as well. We love having dried apples on hand for granola and now a new favorite, fried dried apple pies...Oh, My!!
For school, we've been doing at least two days worth of math each day, working on grammar and studying Egypt which involves lots of reading, research and writing for my 15 and 13 year old children. The 7 year old is working along at his math and phonics and has enjoyed a light bird study this summer. He is excited about a family trip to the beach next month so he can see some sand pipers and other water birds. We will also get to visit an Audobon bird sanctuary which is on the island we will be staying on. We've been reading the Childhood of Famous Americans biography about Audobon for the last few weeks.
I'll stop with a link to a great post by Amy at Homestead Revival. Some great information. http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/06/debt-crisis-homesteading.html
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Paper Dream Giveaway
Late last summer American Family Studios began filming a short movie that has a wonderful message...a message that we don't hear much in today's world. The message? That God IS sovereign. That He created all and He is all.
Psalm 73: 25-26 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My husband and oldest son both worked hard on this project. Jordan was the second assistant camera while Jeff was the producer and also composed the original soundtrack minus one or two pieces. I have to say that when I watched this for the first time a couple of months ago I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't sure about how the story of a barren woman would apply to me, but as it unfolded I could see my own barreness....not of the womb, but in other areas. I alternately laughed and cried as we watched this short film. I think you will as well.
Today this film premiers locally and the proceeds will benefit a local adoption agency. I have one copy of this dvd to give away to a blog reader. It also includes two other films, both nominated as finalists in the San Antonio Independent Film Festival. Jeff also produced and wrote the soundtrack for one of them, Divorcing God.
If you would like to recieve this copy of Paper Dream, leave me a comment and will have a drawing early next week. I think you will be blessed!
- To order Paper Dream for your own home DVD library or to watch the trailer, click here!
Paper DreamChristy had a dream...
For as long as she can remember, Christy Davis has wanted to be a mom, but things haven’t worked out the way she imagined them. When hopes of getting pregnant fall through, she and her husband Matt turn to adoption, but will that be enough to fill their longing for a child?
For as long as she can remember, Christy Davis has wanted to be a mom, but things haven’t worked out the way she imagined them. When hopes of getting pregnant fall through, she and her husband Matt turn to adoption, but will that be enough to fill their longing for a child?
American Family Studios is proud to present a story of hope in the midst of difficult circumstances. Do unfulfilled dreams define who we are, or is God enough to give us fulfillment?
Runtime: Approximately 40 minutes Start a Paper Dream Event or bring to your church
BONUS: The Paper Dream DVD also includes American Family Studios
original documentaries "Flame On" and "Divorcing God"
original documentaries "Flame On" and "Divorcing God"
Flame On: A True Story of Hope in the Midst of Great Personal Tragedy
How would you react when tragedy strikes? Would your faith in an all loving God waver? Would you turn your back on the Lord? Flame On was filmed just months after the extreme loss of a loved one, and follows the Jasper family through the true heart wrenching and faith stretching question of "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" Watch and marvel at how a strong Christian family deals with the emotions of shock, loss and grief from a Biblical perspective. Flame On illustrates the struggle between the sovereignty of God and human responsibility while examining how faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can take you from the very bottom of despair to victory through tragedy. Flame On s a 'must see' for those grieving the loss of a loved one and will leave you with the peaceful knowledge that we serve a gracious, loving God who gives us light through the dark moments of life. "There are no words to describe how we hurt," says J.J. Jasper. "But God's sovereignty and His character do not change. He is still a good God. We knew that intellectually and now we know it experientially."
Runtime: Approx. 40 minutes
16 x 9 widescreen
For more information visit: www.FlameOn.net
Divorcing God: Secularism and the Republic
Divorcing God is a look at what the Founding Fathers believed about morality and religious faith as the pillars of our government and nation, and the dangers posed by secular humanism. Divorcing God also explores the historical patterns of the lives of nations and empires - from birth and growth to prosperity, weakness, decay and death. The film is not just about doom and gloom, however. “Divorcing God is a hopeful presentation of the power of our Christian faith and the power of renewal,” said AFA president Tim Wildmon. “The film represents AFA’s very reason for existence: We believe Christians should get informed about what’s happening in our country and get involved.”
Interviewees include Hadley Arkes, professor of jurisprudence at Amherst College; Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute; Daniel Dreisbach, professor of public affairs at American University; Michael Farris, constitutional attorney and chancellor of Patrick Henry College; Matthew Franck, professor of political science at Radford University; Robert George, professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University; George Grant, author and founder of King’s Meadow Study Center; Peter Lillback, professor of historical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary; Judith Reisman, visiting professor of law at Liberty University School of Law; and Matthew Spalding, director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at the Heritage Foundation
How would you react when tragedy strikes? Would your faith in an all loving God waver? Would you turn your back on the Lord? Flame On was filmed just months after the extreme loss of a loved one, and follows the Jasper family through the true heart wrenching and faith stretching question of "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" Watch and marvel at how a strong Christian family deals with the emotions of shock, loss and grief from a Biblical perspective. Flame On illustrates the struggle between the sovereignty of God and human responsibility while examining how faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can take you from the very bottom of despair to victory through tragedy. Flame On s a 'must see' for those grieving the loss of a loved one and will leave you with the peaceful knowledge that we serve a gracious, loving God who gives us light through the dark moments of life. "There are no words to describe how we hurt," says J.J. Jasper. "But God's sovereignty and His character do not change. He is still a good God. We knew that intellectually and now we know it experientially."
Runtime: Approx. 40 minutes
16 x 9 widescreen
For more information visit: www.FlameOn.net
Divorcing God: Secularism and the Republic
Divorcing God is a look at what the Founding Fathers believed about morality and religious faith as the pillars of our government and nation, and the dangers posed by secular humanism. Divorcing God also explores the historical patterns of the lives of nations and empires - from birth and growth to prosperity, weakness, decay and death. The film is not just about doom and gloom, however. “Divorcing God is a hopeful presentation of the power of our Christian faith and the power of renewal,” said AFA president Tim Wildmon. “The film represents AFA’s very reason for existence: We believe Christians should get informed about what’s happening in our country and get involved.”
Interviewees include Hadley Arkes, professor of jurisprudence at Amherst College; Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute; Daniel Dreisbach, professor of public affairs at American University; Michael Farris, constitutional attorney and chancellor of Patrick Henry College; Matthew Franck, professor of political science at Radford University; Robert George, professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University; George Grant, author and founder of King’s Meadow Study Center; Peter Lillback, professor of historical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary; Judith Reisman, visiting professor of law at Liberty University School of Law; and Matthew Spalding, director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at the Heritage Foundation
 |
| http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2012/06/giveaway-day-62112/ |
Monday, June 18, 2012
Work Week
We've been really busy concentrating on some heavy school work the last few weeks and things are really progressing in that area. However, my house is a mess and I have lots of kitchen work that needs to be done this week. I'm thinking we may be taking a much lighter school schedule this week so we can get some home blessings accomplished!
Here is my to-do list broken down for each day. And yes, the children will all be working with me or by themselves on some of these.
Monday
--make grape jelly (I made the juice on Saturday from grapes that have been in my freezer since October!)
--dehydrate onions
--grate cabbage to make sauerkraut
--get boys' room and bathroom thoroughly cleaned
--get laundry done
Tuesday
--can all the frozen blueberries leftover from last year
--dehydrate more onions
--get dining room and kitchen thoroughly cleaned
--get laundry done
Wednesday
--make strawberry jam from last year's frozen berries
--dehydrate sage
--get laundry done
--get den thoroughly cleaned
--get girls' room and bathroom thoroughly cleaned
Thursday
--pick blueberries at the local blueberry farm
--make blueberry jam
--freeze blueberries
--dehydrate onions or apples
--no laundry--the boys will be working on the washing machine drain pipe on Friday evening and it needs to be dry
--get school room cleaned...start organizing little boys workboxes
Friday
--dehydrate onions or apples
--find something to make with several bags of cranberries
--make a batch of soap
--no laundry
--thoroughly clean master bedroom and bathroom
Saturday
--dehydrate something
--keep house in order
--laundry
--ironing
--lessson plans
Of course, we have an orthodontist appointment one morning this week and I need to do a few other errands as well, but this gives us a plan for the week!
Here is my to-do list broken down for each day. And yes, the children will all be working with me or by themselves on some of these.
Monday
--make grape jelly (I made the juice on Saturday from grapes that have been in my freezer since October!)
--dehydrate onions
--grate cabbage to make sauerkraut
--get boys' room and bathroom thoroughly cleaned
--get laundry done
Tuesday
--can all the frozen blueberries leftover from last year
--dehydrate more onions
--get dining room and kitchen thoroughly cleaned
--get laundry done
Wednesday
--make strawberry jam from last year's frozen berries
--dehydrate sage
--get laundry done
--get den thoroughly cleaned
--get girls' room and bathroom thoroughly cleaned
Thursday
--pick blueberries at the local blueberry farm
--make blueberry jam
--freeze blueberries
--dehydrate onions or apples
--no laundry--the boys will be working on the washing machine drain pipe on Friday evening and it needs to be dry
--get school room cleaned...start organizing little boys workboxes
Friday
--dehydrate onions or apples
--find something to make with several bags of cranberries
--make a batch of soap
--no laundry
--thoroughly clean master bedroom and bathroom
Saturday
--dehydrate something
--keep house in order
--laundry
--ironing
--lessson plans
Of course, we have an orthodontist appointment one morning this week and I need to do a few other errands as well, but this gives us a plan for the week!
Menu Plan for June 18-24
Monday-
breakfast-bacon, eggs, grits
lunch-leftovers
dinner-baked chicken with potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, cabbage and peas
Tuesday-
breakfast-pancakes
lunch-artichoke rice salad (see recipe below), raw veggies, popcorn, cheese and crackers
dinner-beef enchiladas, Army Man rice, refried beans, chips and salsa (using my chicken enchilada recipe but substituting ground beef) This is Devin's requested birthday dinner.
Wednesday-
breakfast-strawberry yogurt smoothies, eggs, granola
lunch-leftovers
dinner-potato soup, cheese, crackers, salad
Thursday-
breakfast-baked oatmeal
lunch-beef and cheese nachos
dinner-lasagna and salad
Friday-
breakfast-pancakes and eggs
lunch-leftovers
dinner-sauteed squash and onions, corn on the cob, green beans, stewed potatoes
Saturday-
breakfast-beef sausage, eggs, grits
lunch-popcorn, raw veggies, fruit, yogurt or smoothies
dinner-grilled pork loin, onions and garlic, grilled peaches, roasted potatoes and green beans
Sunday-
breakfast-baked oatmeal
lunch-leftovers
dinner-potluck at church...we'll be taking buttermilk pies (Kaelan made a bunch last week and they are ready-to-go in the freezer) and turkey pot pie using my starter from the freezer and this pie crust http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1937,148167-226200,00.html
Artichoke Rice Salad
breakfast-bacon, eggs, grits
lunch-leftovers
dinner-baked chicken with potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, cabbage and peas
Tuesday-
breakfast-pancakes
lunch-artichoke rice salad (see recipe below), raw veggies, popcorn, cheese and crackers
dinner-beef enchiladas, Army Man rice, refried beans, chips and salsa (using my chicken enchilada recipe but substituting ground beef) This is Devin's requested birthday dinner.
Wednesday-
breakfast-strawberry yogurt smoothies, eggs, granola
lunch-leftovers
dinner-potato soup, cheese, crackers, salad
Thursday-
breakfast-baked oatmeal
lunch-beef and cheese nachos
dinner-lasagna and salad
Friday-
breakfast-pancakes and eggs
lunch-leftovers
dinner-sauteed squash and onions, corn on the cob, green beans, stewed potatoes
Saturday-
breakfast-beef sausage, eggs, grits
lunch-popcorn, raw veggies, fruit, yogurt or smoothies
dinner-grilled pork loin, onions and garlic, grilled peaches, roasted potatoes and green beans
Sunday-
breakfast-baked oatmeal
lunch-leftovers
dinner-potluck at church...we'll be taking buttermilk pies (Kaelan made a bunch last week and they are ready-to-go in the freezer) and turkey pot pie using my starter from the freezer and this pie crust http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1937,148167-226200,00.html
Artichoke Rice Salad
14 1/2 oz. can chicken broth
1 cup uncooked rice
12 ounce drained, quartered artichoke hearts
2 chopped green onions
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 t. curry powder
8 oz. drained, chopped water chestnuts
Cook rice in broth. Cover, reduce heat, simmer 20 minutes. Cool. Stir rice, adding all other ingredients. Chill for two hours.
 |
| http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/06/barn-hop-66.html |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
