Yuppies Gone Homesteading

Examiner.com

2010-05-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

You can see more of my lovely articles on motherhood and things at the examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/x-46380-Augusta-Motherhood-Examiner

The Benefits of Juicing and the Healthy Effect for Your Family

2010-04-24T09:30:00.001-07:00

The Benefits of Juicing and the Healthy Effect for Your Family

I recently took a trip to the local Bed Bath and Beyond and purchased a juicer. I was promised a juicer for Christmas, by a close family member and told it was in the mail. I waited 4 months and after much deliberation and a little of shopping around settled on a The Bullet Express Juicer.

The Bullet Express Juicer is well worth the hundred dollars and change, equipped with a food processor, dicer, blender and juicer. The juicer works great and the food processor a little difficult to use. It has a tendency to over heat with thick items in place. Hummus is something my family loves to eat, with my husband recent trip to the Middle East he came home with a love of Lebanese cuisine. So he has become an expert hummus and Lebanese flat bread maker.

Back to the juice extractor. I decided after a 20 lb weight gain since leaving the city of Atlanta two years ago to reside in a small town outside Augusta, that I needed alternative measures for dealing with an incredible sweet tooth. So I began the journey of juicing food. Apples, carrots, spinach, papayas, mangos, oranges and blending things like bananas, strawberries, blueberries and pineapple. I have a desire to learn a bit more about the use of wheat grass and the growing process, which I am sure, is not that hard, but I know the least bit about.

The juicing has become a favorite of my children who I can squeeze all kinds of foods in that I am sure, they would not eat other wise. I can only imagine the vitamin content is grossly higher than cooked vegetables. Ok, not grossly, but significantly higher.

My research has shown after now having two aunts, both God mothers to my children, have recently been diagnosed with incurable Cancers that a raw diet is mandatory for healing, regeneration of cells and building of the immune system in the body. I know there has been much Holistic research done and debated about, these above issues. I am sure these things are all quite over my head but who could possible go wrong with a daily weekly fast of juicing. I try the fast once a week from lunch to lunch on Thursday and Fridays and stick to a juice diet. Disclaimer: I of course have not enforced this on my children, I’m sure it would be good for them but think they need the daily calories of wide variety of carbs, fibers, proteins and vegetables.

I love the rush or spike of energy from a great juice drink. My favorite being the afternoon Carrot, Spinach and apple juice, sounds a bit gross but is actually very tasty. What is a little gross, is the likely hood that it will clean you out a bit. Try for yourselves and let me know what you think! ; )

You never know when your needed.........

2010-03-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

A wonderful story.......

I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle . . . so many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about three years old!

To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church.... See More

After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before midnight, I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any bride had ever had! The music, the ceremony, the reception - and especially the flowers - would be remembered for years.

The big day arrived - the busiest day of my life - and while her bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiancee Tim, walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them - all the beautiful white flowers were black. Funeral black. An electrical storm during the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on that hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died.

I panicked, knowing I didn't have time to drive back to our hometown, gather more flowers, and return in time for the wedding.

Tim turned to me. "Edna, can you get more flowers? I'll throw away these dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements."

I mumbled, "Sure," as he be-bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links.

Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in the arched ceiling. "Lord," I prayed, "please help me. I don't know anyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers - in a hurry!" I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of white magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds.

As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house . . . no dog in sight. I knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good . . . no shotgun. When I stated my plea the man beamed, "I'd be happy to!"

He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down to me. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload into my car trunk, I said, "Sir, you've made the mother of a bride happy today."

"No, Ma'am," he said. "You don't understand what's happening here."

"What?" I asked."You see, my wife of sixty-seven years died on Monday. On Tuesday I received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday . . . He paused. I saw tears welling up in his eyes. "On Wednesday I buried her." He looked away. "On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday - yesterday - my children left.

I nodded."This morning," he continued, "I was sitting in my den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me. This morning I cried, 'Who needs an eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody! I began to cry louder. 'Nobody needs me!' About that time, you knocked, and said, "Sir, I need you."

I stood with my mouth open. He asked, "Are you an angel? The way the light shone around your head into my dark living room . . . "

I assured him I was no angel. He smiled. "Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those magnolias?"

"No."

"I decided I'm needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of them. They're all over the backyard! I can give them to hospitals, churches - all sorts of places. You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!"

I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy's wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, I would have said, "Forget it! It's my only daughter's wedding, for goodness' sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today."

But God found a way. Through dead flowers."

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.

I don't know who wrote that story, but I love it. I love it because recently someone needed me and let me help them through a difficult time. It was such a privilege, such a gift--it helped heal me. Angels come in many forms, shapes and sizes. Thanks be to God!

2010-02-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

It is has been so long since my last post, I couldn't remember how to navigate Google! Honestly! Thank God for bookmarks. Whoever came up with that should be kissed ; )

I have been very busy with CheerSport Nationals, my husbands trip to a Middle Eastern Country, don't know how I really feel about that, and from my last post a Pageant.

Well, the CheerSport was a lot of fun. I spent the weekend meddling in my teen years because after all, that is about all their is at a Cheerleading Competition of that size. Wow!! Can I just say, I've had enough break it down music for a life time. O.K not really, I really like break it down music. Especially when I think I can dance.

The kids had a great time and we came home exhausted! Two day's of competing, 9 stages of cheer and dance, enough lights and music to make the largest dance club look mini, 869 teams from around the world with about an average of 5 to 6 divisions per team(don't ask me to add that up, ok...... 4345 and about 15 girls & boys per division, 65175 girls and boys, not counting parents, coaches, and event staff.) Let's just say it was big and took up a large portion of the GA World Congress Center!

Girls acting like cheerleaders.....

Here was the cheer section.......

The whole event was a lot of fun and some how, I can't wait to till next year!

Pageant Mom, Ah Not Me!!

2010-02-01T07:02:00.000-08:00

If you told me a few years ago, that I would be a Pageant mom, I would have laughed hysterically!! Ah me! No Way!

Your talking about a person who lost Little Miss Gatorette Several years in a row. A girl who loved Athletic Sports so much, I turned down a Modeling Contact with Elite, because it would mess up my sports program. I spent time at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. I had Olympic dreams!!!!

Then my daughter Ellie was born. She is a child who loves attention. Lots of attention, so much I thought I would never make it another night, when she was a baby. Little did I know she would grow up to love fashion, singing, dancing and anything else she saw her older sisters doing, that she thought was cool. I had too insist she stop using the word Hot and change it to CUTE!! NO, we are not weird, she just picked it up somewhere! I suspect older teenage sisters had something to do with it.

Anyway, when the local pageant was approaching I thought maybe Ellie would like to participate. After all its local, I have a dress and the fees were cheap. But the crazy thing is, the first time on stage she looked like a poor, helpless soul who, I don't know, was no way my daughter!! Shy, bashful and stumbled down the stage with her hands in her pockets.

Needless to say we brought her home, practiced the walk and learned a little stage presence.........

Now, this is more like the child I know!!

And this......this child I recognize.

That's Ellie, for ya!!

Oh and she won the overall crown.......

Everyone kept asking are you sure this is her first pageant?!!

Yes, I swear it is!

I'm afraid.......This may Not be my last one!!

Don't even mention the words........Modeling!!! Aww! I might cringe and run away screaming!

Avenging Angels

2010-01-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

When God wants something great done in this world, He doesn't dispatch a legion of avenging angels;

Neither does He call forth a whirlwind nor ignite the fuse of volcanic fireworks;

No commandering of troops into battle nor discharging zealous' crusaders to holy causes;

He does not orchestate the burst and boom of thunder nor display His fiery arrows majesty across the sky to bring His purpose to pass.

When God wants something great done in this world........

He sends a baby & then ...... He waits!

Tears and Fears......

2010-01-20T10:32:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share a little something I read today because it has been such a reality in my life lately and in the past 2 years. I can only imagine how many others are effected in the same way.

Me and the Devil Dog

When I was a teenager, I was involved in a lot of activities at school. Some of these activities took place after school. Late buses were provided to get us home after these activities. The trouble was that the late bus didn't take you all the way home. There were 50 or so buses at 3:00 p.m., but only a half dozen at 4:00 or 5:00p.m. So they did a Reader's Digest condensed version of the bus routes, causing many of us to have to walk the rest of the way home or have a parent or sibling pick us up.I guess I was lucky. I didn't have far to walk. The late bus dropped me off at the bottom of our hill. I just had to walk halfway up the hill. There were two ways to do that: walk up the road and around a blind curve, or walk up through the neighbors' yards and into ours.
My parents didn't want me walking up the road because of the traffic. I really didn't want to go that way either. I was afraid of the traffic. One wacky driver, and I'd be history.
But there was a problem with walking up through the neighbors' yards.
A dog.
Just one.
But he was a big German shepherd.
And I was afraid of dogs. Any kind of dog. If it barked, it was scary. Especially big, dark barking dogs. And this one barked and barked and barked.
And he was in the middle of my path home.
There was no way around his yard. I had to go through it to get into mine. And I couldn't get through it without him running out and barking at me. And he was relentless.
So were my tears and fears.
I would stand on the edge of his yard watching him in his yard barking at me-and I'd never know what to door how to get around him. To this day, I don't remember how I got past him and into my yard-though I did it often. I do remember standing there and being afraid. Sometimes I would stand there crying.

Not alone in the rain

One afternoon in particular stands out. It was pouring down rain. As I rode the bus home, I thought that maybe someone in my family would love me enough to drive to the bottom of the hill and pick me up so I wouldn't have to walk home in the rain-and past the barking dog. But no car awaited me as I got off the bus. I watched other students jump into waiting cars and ride off. But not me. I had to walk up the hill in the pouring rain past the dog.

On that day it was too much, and I just stood at the edge of his yard crying and crying because I didn't know how to get past him-and all the while he stood there barking and barking at me. He didn't seem to mind the rain.

Now while some of you are feeling sorry for me standing there in the rain afraid of a dog and may even understand my fears (and others of you are thinking that I was a pretty big wimp), I need to tell you something else about the dog.

He was chained.

Yep. Chained to his doghouse.
He could go only so far. There was an evident circle of just how far that was. And I didn't have to walk into it. I could walk around and get home without ever getting close to him.

And I knew it.
I saw the chain.
I saw the circle.
I saw the path home.

But fear kept me from moving forward.
I knew the truth, but I didn't live like it.
I stood frozen in fear, feeling sorry for myself and angry at my family for not caring enough to rescue me and provide a safe (and dry) way around the dog.

Real fear

Looking back, I realize how incredibly silly the whole thing was. The dog couldn't hurt me. I could walk home with confidence. I don't know why it seemed like such an insurmountable obstacle and drove me to such fear and froze my feet.

However, sometimes I still do the same thing.
Not with dogs. They don't scare me much anymore.
But there are other truths that I sometimes have a hard time living up to.

The devil barks at me that I'm worthless, hopeless, a failure. That God can't possibly forgive me again. That my life has no purpose and makes no difference.

I know the truth.
The devil is lying.

Because of God and the price He has paid for me, I am valuable. I have hope. I fail and sin, but I am forgiven. God gives me purpose and uses me in ways that I'm not even aware of.

But sometimes the barking is so loud that I forget the truth.

I allow the devil's lies to cause me not to move forward-not to walk the path God wants me to. To stand frozen in fear that the barking is really true even though I know differently.

I've watched others allow the "barking dog" to keep them from fully living like God wants.
In small groups I've heard women say, "I can't pray aloud. I stumble over my words and don't make any sense. I just can't do it."
The truth is that no matter how your words come out, when you are praying for someone else, it sounds like beauty to them. They don't hear the faltering-they hear the love.

It's the devil who barks that you can't pray, keeping you from praying aloud for others who need it.

I've watched women who were asked to do something that would stretch them say "No, I can't," when with God's grace and help, they can. (All His callings are enablings.) And the experience would cause them to know God more and be used by Him more powerfully. The devil knows this. That's why he barks so loudly, "You can't. You don't have what it takes. You can't make a difference in anyone's life. Look how badly you handle your own."

A barking dog.

Standing in the path God has for you.
Keeping you from moving forward.

When I was asked to be the Women's Ministries director for the Pennsylvania Conference, I said no. The dog was barking very loudly. I knew me. I was too shy. I didn't know anyone. I was more comfortable in the background than up front. I knew that there was no way I could do the job. But circumstances forced me to say yes. And the role has changed me so much and has become one of the things I enjoy doing most. I am a different person as a result of saying yes.
That's what the devil is afraid of.
He's afraid that if you move forward on God's path for you, you will become all He's created you to be. And that scares him.

So he stands in the path and barks.

But the Bible promises that he's chained. He can't separate us from God's love. He can't prevent God from accomplishing His work in and through us. He can't keep us from getting home.

Tamyra Horst works for the Pennsylvania Conference assistant to the president for communications. Her favorite roles are a wife to Tim, a mom to Josh and Zach, and a child of God, growing, stumbling, and longing to know Him more

Need a mess to clean up?!

2010-01-20T07:47:00.000-08:00

I was away doing mommy things around the house and this is what my little pumpkin was doing while watching Noggin.

That is Chocolate icing!! Yes, very messy but this I will cherish to look at, when they are grown up and older. Now off to the bath!!

Craft Hope!

2010-01-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

This morning I became curious of the current humanitarian efforts in Haiti and began searching the internet for any signs of Hope. I came across a blog and later a video from 60 minutes. They did an update story last night, on the situation in Haiti. It was so upsetting to me and I felt so helpless! So much death, people hurting, children laying in shock and people hungry, thirsty and without a home. I felt silly for thinking about writing anything else, other than Haiti.

I began asking myself. What can a wife and mother of five children possibly do?! I have had some paramedic training and was a EMT. But I have a family and I couldn't leave. Go tracking across the globe to Haiti.

That is when I came across a fellow blogger who informed me of the brand new Etsy store, Craft Hope. All proceeds of the Craft Hope Etsy shop will benefit Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. All items have been generously donated by the crafting community. If you'd like to donate an item please visit the Craft Hope website (www.crafthope.com). http://www.etsy.com/shop/crafthope?page=1

I am just truly amazed at all of these women!! It makes me so proud to be an American and apart of a culture of women who have opened their hearts and banned together in all their talents and abilities. They donate and sell things to benefit all of the People in Haiti!! These items were all made with Love and now they will benefit so many in need. God Bless each and everyone of you, for being so selfless and donating all of your hard work.

A Dog, A Chicken ..... No it's a Goat

2010-01-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

Mally may be a goat but I believe she may be having a identity crisis!! She co habitat's with the chickens and has learned to get out of the chicken coup. She follows the chickens and play's with the chickens and when the day is all done......... she goes back to the chicken coup.

This is my home with the chickens. The big people that I live with or should I say, allow to take care of me, put me here and I don't feel so alone. I really am the only one around here of my kind. But I do get extra attention.

Sometimes I pretend to be a dog.

I don't like Tinkles, the Yorkie, very much at all. She gets in my way and tries to nip at my heels. I think she thinks she is a sheep dog.

These are my friends. I let them share my crack corn!

As you can see, I still have my horns. Only because my owners had no idea about debudding when they bought me.

I follow the boss and get special treats on the trail.

I will say good bye till next time. You can find all kinds of great info about my kind here.

Fias Co Farms

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/getting-your-goat.htm

A Time FOR PRAYER......

2010-01-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of Reuters

As I was finishing my blog this morning. My husband came in to the kitchen and told me about the horrible earth quake in Haiti! I immediately felt sick to my stomach. My best friends boyfriend has been in Haiti taking care of his sick mother and grandmother. I got on the phone with her and found out he had caught a flight back to Miami on Monday, just one day before the earthquake. Horribly his mother and grandmother are still in Haiti!!! We have yet to hear about there shape or if they are even alive!!

PLEASE Pray for them, everyone!!! There are no hospitals in tack, no emergency personal, half of the Dr. are missing and people are stuck under buildings. It makes me so sad to even fathom their condition. They are so poor!! If you feel like you can help at all please donate.

http://www.redcross.org/
Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. It will be charged on your cell phone bill.

Update*** mother and grandmother are o.k! But another friend lost his Aunt and sister......and so many others have lost love ones!! Please cont. to pray for them all!!

Thank you,

Photo Equipment

2010-01-13T05:20:00.000-08:00

I received a new camera for Christmas, Thank you my husband and I am very excited about it because the quality, clarity of pictures are fantastic. Plus I take a lot of action shots. Who wouldn't with five kids?!

I think if i tried that, I might not walk for day's!

Now I can do that, but it doesn't look quiet that good.

I did do that once. Notice I said once!

For stunning photography with point-and-shoot ease, look no further than Canon's EOS Rebel XSi.

You might need alot of subject matter. But I can't help you there. That would require almost 4 1/2 years of combined pregnancy and 4 years of breastfeeding.

Peace,

Have you steamed lately?!

2010-01-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

Lets just say going to the city and staying out late followed by a full day of competitive cheer leading is not good for bad sinus. Great for the physic y, but awful for fighting infection. So I've taken to steaming the sinus. Good old H20 and salt mixed with heat to create steam and a towel.

And being surrounded by this many teenage and adolescent girls with loud music blaring......

I think I may need another night out!

That's my daughter, second to last.

Please don't drop her!!!!

And their MOVING with her like that?!!!

I think I'm headed to the doctor for antibiotics and Valium......

Disclaimer**** Watch the open flame and the towel, it can ignite! I am in no way making fun of people who need and require mind altering drugs to exist or should I say Co-exist! I very well could be one!

Sick and Tired.......

2010-01-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

I've been sick and tired! I know it sounds really negative. But I was just sick with a sinus infection and just plain tired from the Holiday's. It was like a tsunami went through my house. Not as bad of course but almost!

So, I went to the city to kind of recharge. Not rest but recharge. I am a little strange, I know, I can admit it. I need people, city, busyness all around me to re charge. It gives me energy and drive, a sense of purpose to go to the city. When I go away and come home to my house, I see everything in a new light. It's usually not a very good one because with five children, I realize how much of a disorganized disaster my house is......

I came home and started cleaning and organizing, with my husbands help and I feel a lot better. Plus I had some adult time on Saturday night. Adult time is always necessary. People other than little people. Don't get me wrong, I Love little people a lot. But sometimes my brain hurts from little people and then I need some big people to make it feel better. Plus it makes me realize how grateful I am for my beautiful family.

Well, I hope everyone has a great product week and a little recharge!

Peace,
Robin

Bibles and Tape Measure......

2010-01-06T06:04:00.003-08:00

Grab your bibles and a tape measure...... O.k I know this is really cliche but I need your help! Well mostly God's help and the help of others.

Its a New Year and who is ready for a new you?! I have put on some L B's...... at our house that is code for pounds. I have gained a lot of weight. Now I can NOT tell you how much weight because I would not dare step foot on a scale! Never Have Never Will! I stop that when I was 14. Why? Because ladies it is cruel!!

It's all about the tape measure and how you fit in those favorite jeans. Especially when you work out. Because you are gaining muscle, shrinking around those hips and losing fat. I am one of those ladies who, "baby got back!" That's code for butt! Now, I have a little to much right now! To many biscuits (I don't really like biscuits, but who lives on a farm and doesn't like biscuits) Cake, pumpkin pie, whip cream. Woooo! This is a diet post!

This is not your cabbage diet, rice diet, air and water diet! Although fresh air and water is essential for health!

This is your Daniel Diet.........

Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8

Please test your servant for ten day's: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see. Daniel 1:12-13

Now this is not a debate between Vegans, vegetarians and meat lovers. This is my way of trying to learn and love the all natural foods that God gave us to eat! Less processed and more natural. Fruits, vegetables and lean meats! Now I have done this before and lost a lot of inches and felt just amazing! Can you imagine what the royal foods must have been?! No I'm not a biblical historian and can't tell you for sure but I'm guessing they are a lot like what we eat today, everyday!

So anyone game to join me! Get out your bibles, read Daniel, tape measure and let's get started. I've got to look better when I go to Miami this Spring with my husband, I bet I will feel alot better too!!

Best Friends...

2010-01-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

Every Girl needs a best friend. If you dont have one, I suggest finding one. Hunt her down, climb that mountain, search the deep. O.K you know what I mean.

My best friend and I have known each other for 22 years now. We have spent 100's of miles apart, we have lost touch and not spoken. Not because we were mad at each other but because we all have lives and get busy! Busy with family, husbands, careers, travel and whatever else occupies a girls time. We have brought each other out of the depths of life and the high's.

This past week, she came to visit and brought me out of the depths of exhaustion from the holiday's, anger at my husband and just plan neglect of myself. You ask why was I mad at my husband?! Because I am a married women and sometimes we just get mad at our husbands! No real reason! Just tired, overwhelmed, living in the middle of no where, remodeling, the holiday's and a gazillion visitors. He is the easiest target! We hurt the ones we love the most, sometimes.....Right!

Well my best friend made me feel so much better. She left the city, a great career for 4 day's and came to spend New Years with me in the country. We had hours of conversation, glasses of wine, she took me to get my hair done, a pedicure, shopping for makeup, and Starbucks coffee! And she didn't let me pay for one dime of it!!!

So this is a tribute to Best Friends!!! Thank you! I Love you and I am so grateful for you and all Best Friends out there! God Bless You all and when the times right..... may I be the same for you!!!!

I did NOT escape the Cold!!! Old House's are Cold!!!!

2010-01-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

I thought we were smart and escaped the cold...... the relief of knowing we were smart, got our insulation in the crawl space, caulked every crack, new paint, fixed leaks with the Dap spray (it's a spray foam that expanse in cracks) and I'm actually living with a tiled kitchen and Not sub-floor this Winter!

Boy, was I wrong!!! It is 19 degrees out. Now, I know it gets much colder in other parts of the country and you think I'm weak. Your right I am weak!!! I will admit it! I was born in South Florida and I will forever need to be in a warm weather climate. Yes, I have been in GA for over 20 years, but in my brain I love to be on a warm beach soaking up the sun!

I am cold..... The tip of my nose is freezing, my finger tips are freezing and my feet are chilled. ( I learned my lesson from last year, I bought thick socks, slippers and some really warm slipper/shoes. They actually have rubber soles.)

slipper socks/tile

I in fact, have not escaped the cold, my brother in laws still did a fabulous job before Christmas, insulating the crawl space and I am very grateful. That was hard work and frankly I wasn't going to crawl under there. My husband is much to big and wide to crawl under there. So Thank God for my two brother n laws, for crawling under there! I will Stop using the word Crawl now! Note with a Drawl....

Insulating under the house

Brother n Laws

I guess all I can do now is pray my husband will build a really big Furnace soon and/or it will be Spring soon and I can thaw out again!

Blessings,

New Year New Start.....

2009-12-31T06:33:00.000-08:00

2009 come and Gone!! Where have I been?

Maybe remodeling a house, raising a family and trying to keep a strong marriage! That all makes me tired just writing about it!

Here is to a great New Year with lots of joy, love, faith, success and Happiness!! Coffee every morning, Sleeping in on the weekends, tractor cleaning up my backyard, cabinet doors in the kitchen, less mess for me to clean up, more I Love You's and peace for me when I need to use the restroom!

And 1 more....

great pictures!

God Bless

Christmas Eve dinner....

2009-12-28T12:50:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve Night for dinner for my family, I made the best Turkey I have ever eaten in my life!!

Fig-Glazed Roast Turkey with Cornbread Stuffing

I got the recipe off of Food Networks site.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/fig-glazed-roast-turkey-with-cornbread-stuffing-recipe/index.html

Couple of changes I made was: I made the corn bread the night before. Of course I had to double the recipes for the size of my crew, made the corn bread recipe right off the corn bread flour bag, placed the turkey in the oven and two hours later stuffed the bird with a small portion of dressing (put the remainder in a casserole dish and cooked separate) , I cooked the bird at 325 degrees not 350 and basted the bird the last two hours of cooking. This BIRD was DIVINE!!!! This recipe will forever be the stable bird in my house! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinner! Whenever the mood overtakes me to cook a Turkey!!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups dried California figs, roughly chopped
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 cups warm water
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 large onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary leaves
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, removed from casing and crumbled
10 large cornbread muffins, torn into pieces, or 1 loaf cornbread, cubed (about 5 cups)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 to 1 cup chicken or turkey stock, homemade or store-bought
1 (10 to 12 pound) fresh turkey
2 sticks unsalted butter, (1 softened)
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Directions

Begin by re-hydrating the figs. In a large mixing bowl combine the figs, honey, lemon juice; cover with the warm water. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 20 to 25 minutes until the figs are tender and soft. Pour off the liquid and reserve for the glaze.

Meanwhile, heat a little extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat and gently saute the onions with rosemary. Add the sweet Italian sausage and continue to saute until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. When done, scrape it all into the bowl with the figs, Add the cornbread pieces and season well with salt and pepper. Give it a good toss until it's well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, and 1/2 cup stock, and pour that over the cornbread. (Add up to 1/2 cup more stock if the stuffing is dry. ) Stir the stuffing together and set it aside while you work on the turkey.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the turkey breast and using 1 stick of butter, massage it onto the breast meat. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Stuff the bird with the cornbread stuffing and truss it (or just cross the legs over one another and tie with a piece of kitchen twine). Put the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan, and place in the oven.

In a small saucepan set the fig liquid over medium heat and bring to a simmer to reduce, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar; simmer, cook until syrupy. Cut up the remaining stick of butter and whisk it into the balsamic mixture. Use the glaze to baste the turkey.

Roast the turkey for 2 hours. About 20 minutes before the turkey in done, baste the turkey with the fig glaze, coating it well. Continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F. The thigh juices will run clear when pricked with a knife, about 3 hours total (15 minutes per pound). If the legs or breast brown too quickly during roasting, cover them with foil. Transfer turkey to a cutting board, loosely covered with foil to rest for up to 30 minutes before carving.

Christmas on the Farm

2009-12-28T12:21:00.001-08:00

Christmas morning! Time marked!

The Ultimate Present!

2009-12-22T03:32:00.000-08:00

Today, just a few day's before almost everyone wakes up to open gifts and celebrate Christmas. I began to think about the birth of our Savior, again.

Most people love Christmas, but do they truly understand the reason. The reason for the birth of a Savior.

Why, do we need Jesus! What was God's purpose for sending a begotten son in the first place?! Why, can't we have Christmas without Jesus. This was actually said to me one year. "Can't we just have Christmas without talking about Jesus!"

God, as we all know, established a lot of laws in the Old Testament. Today we still have people who believe in the practice of laws to get to God. What is law and what does it mean to you and me?

This morning bright and early I felt the need to get up and study my bible. Today is a special day for me also, because it is My birthday. Now, I'm not crazy about birthday's because I don't want to have any MORE! I felt it was a special day because I share my birthday so close to Jesus birthday! Once again, I thought of the meaning and why it so special to me! Jesus, that is!

Laws are in place, I feel, so we will know the reason for right and wrong. Of course, to also establish consequences for those actions. Whatever we choose those actions to be. But mainly Right and Wrong!

Now, if we were to practice these laws just so we could earn our way into heaven. How hard do you think it would be? Probably pretty hard! No, my guess is, we would almost have to be Perfect! What if I told you, that God gave us laws, just so we would know the differences, in right and wrong and not one of us could ever be perfect enough to make it to heaven! Not one! Wow, I feel a lot better knowing I don't have to be perfect.

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the LAW we become conscious of sin. Romans 3:20

When Jesus was born in a barn and placed in a manger. We then had a Chance. All of us had a chance! Everyone wants a chance, right!! I know I do!

So, now we understand we have right and wrong. But, what now do we DO!

I know I could never be perfect enough or act right enough to earn God's approval. But, I don't need to!! Beloved, we all fall short of the Glory of God!

This righteousness from God comes through FAITH in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24

That's all it takes! Faith, Belief!! You can never be good enough or earn your way! That is all I am trying to tell you! God say's so Himself!

God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through Faith in His blood. Romans 3: 25

That little baby was presented to us AS A GIFT! So that we all could live eternally in paradise with God in heaven. A God who no matter what you've done or where you've been, LOVES YOU, so much, that he would send His son.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

This brings tears to my eyes and it makes me hurt for all of those who think they can be perfect enough or earn their way into heaven. Put down that gauntlet! You don't have to run that race! God LOVES you! Just BELIEVE!

If you haven't accepted Christ into your life, it's ok! You can do it now!! Just say a prayer and tell God you are sorry. You love him and realize that you can never be perfect enough. You believe Christ came for the forgiveness of sin and you want to accept him into your heart, for the forgiveness of sin.

Go ahead, Do it! Like Nike say's "Just do IT" Receive the best gift possible this Christmas. Accept Jesus!

With LOVE IN HIM,

Diary of a Farm House.....

2009-12-16T11:35:00.000-08:00

Foyer

Everything in the house is heart pine. It was cut and milled right off of the property in the early 1930's.

Kissing Knockers/Bathroom Door

I love pillows

In my book a girl can never have enough rockers.

Can't have a farm house without chicken wire.

The Path to Christmas

2009-12-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

My husband made this for our church for the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

The church created a beautiful path to Christmas with trees, lights, a live nativity scene, angels, carolers and a live crucifixion. Which is all the story of Jesus's life here on earth.

I have given birth to five children of my own. I could not imagine riding a donkey for a long distance with a womb full of baby about to give birth. Could you imagine the pain and exhaustion you would feel? You look at your spouse to say "It is time!" and he then tries to find a place for you to give birth for the first time, without a Dr. or family to assist and "No room for you at the inn!!" Only to then direct you to a barn full of animals, lying in hay! The thought of lying in hay makes me itchy.

My only conclusion is Mary was a wonderful women, assisted by angels and in true belief that she was in fact giving birth to a Savior of the World. How else would you survive the above scene?!

But the angel said to them " Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2: 11-12

Merry Christmas!

No More Waste Land

2009-12-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

When we bought our house, a little over a year ago, they had tree farmed all the surrounding acreage. That means they come in and cut down all the Pine trees. (Or whatever area of the country you live in and what trees grow best there.) So the end result is a vast land of nothing but dirt, limbs and debris. All the pines on our property were huge and left all in place. But the problems was all the beetles that had been feasting on all the other trees would now come and fest on our trees. Beetles eat the tree from the inside and leave the trees to rot and die. See more here: http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/so_pine_beetle/so_pine.htm

The solution would be for us to also remove all our trees and turn them into the local lumber mill for profit. So that is what we did.

But the end result, was also a waste land of broken trees, limbs and debris. We do have some beautiful hardwoods on our property and would love one day to be able to clean up all the mess left and enjoy those trees. So for the past year, I have looked at a Waste Land of tree mess, tree trunks and weeds. Weeds by the way, grow anywhere. As you all may know!

My husband Mike and I have wanted so badly to be able to purchase a Crawler Loader to clean it all up. But you can only do so much when remodeling a house out of pocket. ( We didn't want to go into anymore debt besides our home purchase, because homesteading is all about becoming independent and free of burdensome debt, at least it is in our book!) So for the past year Mike has been combing the classifieds for a great deal on a Loader or equipment big enough to clean up all the mess.

Well, I am ecstatic to announce that we have in fact found that loader and purchased it!!! I am so happy beyond words, to see the site of such a beautiful piece of equipment. Our VERY OWN LOADER. What girl would ever dream of that?! Now we can put our working boots on and clean up that mess in our back yard!!

Advertising

2009-12-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

Advertising

Interested in Advertising on Yuppies Gone Homesteading?

You or your business can email me at sweetneasyfarm@gmail.com

Ad space is available to the right of all pages.

Thank you

Favorite Things

2009-12-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

I love a great glass of wine while I'm cooking dinner. This one is a Cabernet from Chile.

This is a portrait painting of my grandmother.

I Love baskets! A cup of tea before bed in my grandmothers antique tea cup and my favorite cook book. Everyday Italian.

I Love my children in long footie P.J's and my little Yorkie, fresh from the groomers.

My family art work. Almost all the paintings in my home are done by family. This one was painted by my Great Grandmother.

This cute Door hanger my little girl made at school.

When we think about what we want or what we don't have. Why not think of the things that we already have, that are our Favorite. I like to rearrange a lot and try new pairings of objects. A basket with fresh flowers or move a painting to a new location in your home. I move furniture often to give a room a fresh look. Look around, you will be surprised in what you all ready have and LOVE!!

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER

2009-12-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to
seek Him first to find her . '

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean

living.

I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

   When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.

   I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.


   When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.


   When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.

   I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

   When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect.

   My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.



   When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!





.

Huh??

2009-12-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

Things you hear at my house often........

I want to go to the city to shop, eat at ........ great restaurant and see people! Normal people!

I need to go to Home Depot or Lowes for.........

Did you pay.........

Mommy I'm Hungry or Thirsty! (Yes I feed my children but they are all grazers)

Have you seen my.........

I hate her! (Yes, I know, it's terrible)

She hit me...

She did it.....

I didn't do it......

I can't find the other one!!

The washing machine, dryer, dish washer is always running! (To where I don't know)

Can I go here or can you take me there?

I wish I had more...........

We never have anything to eat......(I shop at Sam's once a week)

She pulled my hair.......

Mom......

Dad......

Honey......

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the differance.

Kitchen Renovation, Complete? Huh! Not yet!

2009-12-10T09:30:00.000-08:00

One day I do believe I will have a completed kitchen. When? Not Sure! Between all the work around here and jumping from job to job, it is hard! I will admit my husband and I have very short attention spans and get bored quickly with one job. Yes, we are doing the work all by our little old selves and Yes, my husband is very talented. That's is the reason I married him! I knew I wouldn't starve. O.k, jokes aside here is the proof!! Remember its not done yet!

Before

After

Pear Pair

2009-12-09T11:31:00.000-08:00

Advice from a Tree
By Ilan Shamir
Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!

I love our Ornamental Pear Tree, right before Christmas, the leaves turn a beautiful red. I figure I would pair it with a poem too.

Dining Room Kitchen

2009-12-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

Before

My husband and I argued for years about a combo dining room and kitchen and He won!! Now I don't say that often but yes, He won! He got his dining room and kitchen combo! I will say I do love it and How fitting for a farm house!

O Christmas Tree!!

2009-12-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

I Love Christmas! The Tree, wreaths, candle light, Family and the sweetest, birth of a Savior!!

Sweet Diva

2009-12-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

Do you have a 5 Year old who thinks she is a diva?!

I'm Here!!

2009-12-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

I have been so absent from the world of blogging! I finally feel inspired enough to begin writing again and posting.

My life the past year has been full of trials and adventures on the new homestead. Sadly more trials than adventures. But you all know, life as a mother and wife is always hectic. The Sweet and Easy Farm does not always live up to its name. I will say the scenery here is just beautiful. But the people are not warm and fuzzy, so I have had alto of time to think. It is beautiful but very lonely!! I always find myself thinking of all the women from the past century and how hard the life must have been. We are truly blessed to live in this day and age with all the modern convenience's but with every ones busy schedules I'm sure it can be just as lonely.

You all know, we have been remodeling our farm house, so when money and time allows that is what we have been doing for the past year. This place has been so much work. I could have never dreamed at how much work this place would become. Slowly but surely it is turning into the most beautiful place. I just hope I can stay sane while doing it!

Fall 09

2009-12-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

Madi is becoming a lady and growing so fast. The teen years are never boring.Girls with there friend Emily.

Anna and Ava together. Anna is so sweet to others and always putting them before herself.

Fun pictures. Joy and laughter!
I love the pictures in front of the hay bales. I love the setting of a beautiful field full of hay bales. They leave them out to dry after they are cut for at least a week.
A

Kate B Day

2008-11-10T06:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Katie!!

I have loved being your mommy!

Kate is one of the sweetest, most outgoing, fun loving, easy going, people you can ever meet! She creates joy, fun in all she does and most things come very easily for her. She is bright and makes me laugh! Happy Birthday Honey! We Love you!

My little Tate Tate is growing up!

2008-11-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

Farm house

Fall leaves and views

One of the first pics of all the girls at the new house!

I just love the views around this place!! So much history and time lived around here!! It is just beautiful and I feel so blessed having a chance for my family and I to be apart of it all!!

I love this picture!! Sisterly love and support!!

Farm Day's

2008-11-05T06:14:00.001-08:00

Hay Field

Chickens

Pecan trees

Rooster for Sale.

Our new addition Mally the goat. She is just 5 months old and very sweet.

Bare Bones

2008-10-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

This is the dining room. There used to be windows here, so we took those out and Mike built these doors.

Paint Colors for the house. (please email me your favorites) This is a mix of a blue/green and really green color. Yes we are mixing colors to find the right one.

The top is the really green and the bottom is the really green and the blue/green. I know its confusing!! I am totally confused as to what color I want. I am really struggling painting the house any color at all. I liked to keep it white with Black shutters but Mike wants to put color, so you can see all the trim on the house (there is a lot of trim on this house that you can't see).

O.k this is the blue/green that I like. But I am worried about it being to blue. NO COUNTRY BLUE!!

That is the new deck and the new doors from the dining room to this side of the house. There used to be nothing but trees and vines over here and we had to clean it all out.

This is the bare bones of a new kitchen. It is sub floor, the start of a island for the kitchen, start of some painted cabinets, a laundry sink to wash dishes temporally, a make shift pantry, all the new wiring is in and all the can lights (the bulbs are all the wrong size so they are not pictured) AH! The joys of remodeling!!

Thank God!!!

2008-10-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

I really mean that, THANK YOU GOD!!! It has been 2 1/2 months with NO washing machine and dryer. I have been going to the laundromat once a week and spending 25.00 to wash all of our clothes. That would include 5 construction size trash bags and I would shove those clothes into 5 oversized washers and 5 small washers and 5 dryers.

It was fun and eventful getting to meet the locals at the laundromat but I am so glad it is over. The plus to all of that was I got all my laundry done in 1 hr and 1hr folding. I would pack the back of my car and drive home and take all the clothes in and put them away. But that didn't include any sheets or blankets. Since it is getting really cold here, I will not go into the sweaters on top of all that.

So I had a melt down yesterday on Mike (please pray for him) and we went to Lowes and bought these. I feel guilty as to the way I got them but I am overjoyed to have them. You try washing a family of 8 (yes 8, including Mikes step dad) clothing!! No sane person could take it. So yes, I went insane to get them!!

Crazy Farm

2008-10-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

Staring the five girls, two parents, father n law, and sometimes brother n law and girlfriend Bambi. Layla the inherited cat. She came with the house. No choice! But she is getting used to us and loves to play with Tinkles.

Tinkles sweet most adorable Yorkie on the planet.

Sara the hen. Egg laying machine. (We won't name the rest b/c of the need for future meals.)

Wednesday the Rooster! Calm, vigilant and sometimes assertive (if you get close to his 8 ladies) he does crow usually 6 am and sometimes 4 am. Thank goodness is not very loud. Although my bedroom window does face the chicken house.

Members missing at the time include Buddy the dog. Not very bright but lovable.

Snowball the long haired cat. I took her from the pizza joint in town. The girls there begged me to take her and I will admit, I did not protest. She is very scared at the time. We didn't see her for two days but all the sudden, she appeared to eat. I will take her picture when Buddy isn't running around chasing her under the house.

I find myself feeding, cleaning, doctoring and nurturing animals alot. I will say I really enjoy it. Just remind me I said that when I am complaining in the near future.

Chickens

2008-10-14T06:00:00.001-07:00

I think we are officially a farm now! We have chickens!! Yes! I caved in and we picked up 10 chickens yesterday. There are 8 hens and two roosters. They are actually very interesting creatures and nice. The chickens have gone to work eating all the bad insects (mosquito's, ticks, fleas, just to name a few) and weeds. Buddy will not stop barking at them and he actually got into the pin yesterday and ended up with a mouth full of feathers. It was really funny!

The girls love them (we told them to NOT get to attached b/c we will be eating them) Mike will handle that! We all had farm fresh eggs for breakfast this morning. They tasted about the same to me as store bought (shh don't tell) but I am most certain they were better for us and the taste was a little more fluffy! The man we bought them from (interesting family) had eggs coming out of his ears and offered us a bunch of eggs. He only started farming chickens two years ago and has lots of chickens now and lots of eggs. He said more than they can eat so they give them away. Anyone need EGGS!

The chickens are much happier here b/c they have a large hen house (soon to be roosting boxes) and very large double pin to walk around and eat in. I hope to let them out in the yard as soon as Buddy gets a little more used to them. I have lots of weeds and insects for them to eat. I am a little afraid about getting them back into the pin (I really don't want to touch them) but the lady said you can just pick them right up at dusk. They will just sit there at night.

I was worried about them last night b/c of the horror stories the lady told me about hawks swooping down and taking there heads off and I know we have lots of coyotes around here b/c Mike shot one last week. The coyotes were all over our property the last month and he said he was sick of them (they are very loud) and peppered one in the rear with a shot gun. We haven't heard them since. Oh! the many stories of farm life (the experienced farmers are rolling there eyes) I could go on for hours. Let's just say the girls are very happy and not in my hair very often. (pics coming soon)

Happy Birthday Ava!!

2008-09-20T06:23:00.000-07:00

My little sunshine is turning two years old. She is just such a joy and two years raising her has been a complete blessing!! Ava is a ball of smiles, sweet temperament, laid back easy going, no worries kind of girl. Her spirit is kind and loves to snuggle (when something else hasn't caught her attention).

Interest's are birds, dirt ("Ava where is your shoes"), she loves flip flops, her bottle (we are seriously considering buying a milk cow and hooking her up), hates her car seat, she is always wondering where I am, the potty, and where is Tinkles and Buddy (the dogs). She loves to cuttle up in her crib and take a nap. Not much of a night sleeper though! She loves to talk about and say "Ellie, Madi, Anna, Kate"! A little to much in the middle of the night.

We love you and wish you a Happy Birthday! I wish you a life of loving and serving the Lord! Great adventures, love of your family and people, happy memories and days spent in laughter. I Love you! Mom and Dad.

Settling in...

2008-09-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

Hey, yall... (Just a little southern drawl for ya!)

We are trying to get settled in but we are still moving and the kitchen remodel is slowing down. We are all exhausted and doing what we can everyday. There is a lot to do still. But we have gotten alot done as well.

The new sub floor is all in the kitchen, we built a new deck and put in the french doors in the dining room. I put in several flower beds and mulched, a dump truck load, of flower beds. The girls are getting settled in at school and Madi has been to her first school dance here.

The people are all very nice. Fred and I sat and talked with postman for about 15mins yesterday. He said " he used to cut the grass for all the old maids here (southern term not meant in a bad way) they would call him up and say, " we need the grass cut, he say o.k Ms. H. I will get to it in the next couple of days, "Oh no! Ms H. would say... we need it cut now!! Not in a couple of days! It needs cutten now!! "He said " that was a different generation and they expected it done right away. He said " the sweetest ladies you could meet, give you the shirt off their backs but the wanted it done when they wanted it done". " Not meant in a bad way he said " it was a different generation ." Ms. H. said "the negro Jerad did it all when I needed it done. No problem! No question's asked"!

That reminds me of a different story I heard. Ms. H calling a local man in the middle of the night and telling him it was about to freeze and the collards needed pulling now!!! So sure enough 3:00 am the man was over here pulling collards out of the ground for Ms. H.

It is just so interesting to hear all these great stories and it makes me ponder on the last 100 year old generation. How much has changed and how much things continue to change. How much is lost and dying off as the last of the 1900's generations is moving on.

Here everyone closes early on Wed. because church is in the evenings. Sundays are spent with the church community and neighbors. Friday nights is for football and when the games are away the whole town is dead. Their is no rush and everyone is laid back. No rat race and how much can I get done today. It is just simpler and life is about community and serving the Lord. I love that and hope all of us can learn to become more that way. Instead of slipping away to all of life's constant demands and needs to get ahead. Lets just all learn to slow down and smell the roses.

2008-09-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

Painting the keeping room. Fred will be living with us for a long time painting the house.
The Master bedroom being painted. All the wood in the house is heart pine. I had a really hard time painting it. But you can only take so many rooms of all the pine.
Guys pouring the concrete for the new front walk way.
New front walk way all most complete. All the rocks used are from the property. The ground is covered in quartz rock.
Peter (Mikes Brother) performing for us all out on the front porch at 11:00 at night. We were all singing really loud (I know no one could hear us on 100 acres). We had a blast singing and then moved over to a big fire in the field (we burned a lot of wood from all the trees we pulled out of the side of the house).

2008-09-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Dining room being torn apart. Mike wanted to remove these floors too. But the night before I had a nightmare that he tore out all the floors in the house. So I said NO!! He could not remove anymore floors. So they crawled under the house to replace the framing. I think all the guys were mad at me that day. So I grilled them all their own Prime ribs that night and needless to say they were all happy and full for bed.
Newly framed kitchen floors. Look so much better than the rotten wood that was there. Not to mention the floor was completely sagging on the outer wall.
There were closest in the dining room. So we took those out to put in book cases. Their were pecans and torn up newspaper all in the walls from squirrel's. That was really funny to see.

2008-09-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

Home from the side with a big whole out the dining room. We are putting in french doors there and adding a big deck.
No this NOT a bad picture!!! That is all the dirt in the air!!! That used to be my kitchen and where I am standing to take the picture used to be a wall dividing the dining room and kitchen.
Huge hole and all the siding and framing being torn off the side of the house.
Girls digging for rocks for the stone steps up the new walk way to the house.
Sorry I didn't turn the picture!! Process of the new walk way to the house being built.

New Home

2008-09-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

I can not begin to tell you all, what a amazing God send this has been and a incredible answer to some many years of prayers. Praise His mighty name JESUS!!!! We have a new Home!!!

The house is incredible!!! I have had so many ranges of emotion since last Friday!! Pure JOY, praise, happiness, a bit of sadness, fear of what is ahead (remodeling our house), Bewilderment and amazement (people actually still live like this) total time warp!!!

We closed on the house and went strait to work. Ripped out a entire side of a house down to the dirt!!! (Lot of termite damage on the side of the house) It has all been re framed in 4 days. We had some amazing men working with us and they worked their tails off. I can not believe what these men did in 4 days. (I will on a later date).

Please pray for me!!!! I have no kitchen, no laundry room, no hot water, no a/c last night (it is back on and working), a tree fell and took out the power yesterday morning (no other damage, Thank God), the well water has been questionable (pretty brown from the pipes, it seems to be clearing up). It has been a whirl wind!! I have done nothing for 5 days but work and feed 15 people around the clock. LOL!! (I am laughing thinking about it right now!!)

I will post more soon and all the pictures!!!

New Family Member!!

2008-08-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

We have a new family member. She is 12oz. 8 weeks old and I ball of fur. Lets just say she is very spoiled and loved. You would think for her size she is not very active. But that would be a mistake!! She is all over the place, quick, and in to everything. She loves to snuggle (the reason Mike bought her for me, he said I could love on her when he is not around)and slept with Madison all night in a little ball.

Mike surprised me with her an Friday. I had no idea she was coming and I was completely shocked. I have wanted another Yorkie since Rusty past away! I finally got one!! She will be very loved. I think I will keep inside and out of the driveway this time!LOL

Little Napoleons!!

2008-08-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

This was my company this morning during my morning devotional. These little guys are so brave and territorial. Yesterday morning I had three of them within five feet of me hovering over my head. They were determining who would eat from this feeder and I was just in the cross fire of there campaign. They are like little Napoleons!!

You know I was thinking this morning about the size of these guys compared to there bravery. My thought was what if we were little Napoleons for Christ!!! Not shoving things down peoples throats but just not afraid of our faith and what that means as a country and as individuals. Not compromising, not falling for the normal, not being tolerant!! Isn't that what everyone preaches these day's, in the name of many religions. Tolerance!! Jesus was never tolerant of other idols and religions. Jesus cleared the temple, Jesus did not fall for Satans attempts in the wilderness, Jesus taught Nicodemus (a Pharisee,a man of the law, an elder), Jesus teaches "For my Fathers will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" John 6:40. So my feeling is not to Tolerate but to be brave. Teach those who seek and stand up for what we believe in. Christ! No other!!

Busy Week

2008-08-08T15:53:00.000-07:00

O.k, where did the week go? I have been really busy doing, I don't know what! Do you every have weeks like that?

Well, I have decided to home school the girls due to the fact that we will be moving soon and I didn't want to switch the girls all around. So we got all our work books, schedules set (thanx P.J) and school supplies. I got some great christian based curriculum for the girls. It is called Lifepac by alpha and omega publishers. Lifepac bible workbook unit 1 studies "How others Lived for God" , Lifepac Math, History& Geography sounds just very exciting to start! Quotes from the workbook are "this year you will learn the story, the history, of our nation, the U.S.A. You will learn how it was created, how it survived, what people led it and what it has accomplished in the world. It is an amazing story of a nation led by the hand of GOD"!!! Wow!!! Who knew a workbook on the actually study of the hand of God in our country!!! What happened to teaching our children that?

I would say this has been a amazing answer to prayer for me! I have felt a pull from God to teach my children a bible based curriculum. I just never in a million years thought it would actually be me teaching it!! People ask me all the time if I home school and I would always look at them very strangely and say "ME"!! UH! No way!! So look at me now home schooling! Please keep me in your prayers B/c I feel I will be needing it.

The picture up top is Mike and I at the Journey and Heart concert. We had so much fun! Mike and I used to listen to Journey all the time, when we were younger, on road trips. Heart brings me back to the days when I was younger singing in the shower. Theyed played "These Dreams" "Baracuda" and other oldies and goodies. I had a blast!! Thank you Kari and Matt for inviting us.

Summer Pics

2008-07-30T14:07:00.001-07:00

I love this one of Ava and Mike profiles!

Summer Pics

2008-07-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

N.C mountains

Backyard water fun!!
Eating in Destin

Believing God

2008-07-30T08:42:00.001-07:00

I have started a new study with my women's small group called Believing God by Beth Moore. I love Beth Moore and her studies are so incredibly powerful and insightful. God has already shown me so much just in the first night and the next nine weeks should produce so much more fruit of the spirit.

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. Isaiah 43:10

1. God is who He says He is.

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Hebrews 3:12

2. God can do what He says He can do.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4

3. I am who God says I am.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

4. I can do all things through Christ.

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8

5. Gods word is alive and active in me.

This is the five statement pledge of faith. Let it settle in your heart and blossom into God's truth.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA!!

2008-07-27T05:40:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how fast the years have gone by. Anna is now 8 yrs old and sweeter than ever!! It has been so much fun being her mommy, I have enjoyed watching her grow into a beautiful young lady!! Happy 8th Birthday Boogey!! We love you so much!!

Trusting God In Tough Times

2008-07-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

We have been having a little of a hard time, lately! So I started reading, Just Enough Light For the Step I'm On by Stormie OMartian. ( Thank you Robin S. for lending it to me.)

Chapter 11 of Stormie's book is titled "Surrendering Your Dreams", you know this has never really ever occurred to me, to do, surrender your dreams. I have always thought, I know God desires you to have your dreams and to pursue those dreams but I just did not think to Surrender those completely to him.

Stormie says, " We can end up in a stagnant wilderness of frustration and confusion if we have made idols out of our dreams". This is could not be a more accurate description of where I have been lately.

I have certainly felt God telling me that we have been making a idol out of all our dreams and pursuits. She goes on to say, " God wants us to dream. He puts dreams in our hearts for his purposes. But in our dreaming, He doesn't want us to exclude Him. God's Word says we will perish if we don't have a vision, but the vision we have must be His. If we don't have a vision from Him, then we don't have a vision that will ever be realized". Wow!! How powerful is that?

So I wanted to share her prayer with all of you tonight:

Lord, I release all my hopes and dreams to You this day. If there is anything that I am longing for that is not to be a part of my life, I ask You to take away the desire for it so that what should be in my life will be released to me. I realize how dangerous it is to make idols of my dreams-to try and force my life to be what I have envisioned for myself. I lift up to you all that I desire, and I declare this day that I desire You more. I want the desires of my heart to line up with the desires of Your heart. As hard as it is for me to let go of the hopes and dreams I have for my life, I lay them all at Your feet. I know that as I die to them, You will either bury them forever or resurrect them to life. I accept Your decision and fully submit to it. Lead me in Your path, Lord. I don't want to speak a vision of my own heart (Jeremiah 23:16). You never said life would be easy. You said You would be with me. I now take each step with the light of Your presence as my guide. Jesus name Amen.

New House

2008-07-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

As you all may know or have heard, we are planning a move to a small town. This is a picture of the farm house we put under contract. I pray it is all in God's will and everything will move forward smoothly. Keep us in your prayers during this exciting time and move.

Mike has already started moving the shop and has a lot more work a head of him. So please pray for him and all he has to do.

We feel God working in all of this. We just have not been shown all the particulars and walk blindly in faith! Praise Jesus for all his blessings in the wilderness and times of uncertainty.

7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

Bon Voyage Norway

2008-07-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

The Norway boat has left port and is heading to Norway. Mike and Anna took it yesterday, 14 hrs in the truck, to the port in Jacksonville. It will arrive in Norway in about a month. I know the Skallist can't wait.

Lake Lanier

2008-07-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

Out on the lake having some fun. Anna looks so funny to me here. It appears she will taking off soon or maybe just holding on for dear life.

Ava and Ellie

2008-07-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of them on the back deck playing with flowers.

Destin

2008-07-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

The sand is so soft and white in Destin! I love to just sit and rub your toes in it. I think that is all Mike did!! HA!

Destin

2008-07-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

Wad da (Ava's water word)

Ellie Tantrums

2008-07-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

This is Ellie in one of her exhausted tantrums. She was so tired. I think this was our third day at the beach. TOO CUTE!!

Destin

2008-07-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the beach. The days included errands in the morning, followed by 1 or 2 hrs at the beach. Then straight to the pool to cool off, cocktail (smoothies for the kids), and relaxing. We met some great people from New Orleans who informed us of the best restaurant in Destin. Louisiana Lagniappe was awesome!! It brought me back to the times in Mississippi on the 4th and the restaurants in New Orleans and of course Grandma's cooking. OOH!!! My mouth is watering thinking about it.