Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Free children's craft videos :-)
Last night I released the first in a series of children's craft lessons on My Simple Walk, under the "craft lessons" tab. It is a little on the long side, but the video was created for your children to do along with me, so I go at a pace a child would work at. I'm still playing around with ideas, so please feel free to leave me suggestions!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Keeping me on track
God always has a way of keeping me on track! This weekend I was a little more "lazy" than I should have been. On Friday I put lots of boxes of "get rid of" stuff in the middle of my kitchen so I would have no choice, but it get it out of the house. It is now Monday and the boxes are still there and driving me batty. I'm still finding this to be the hardest part, figuring out what to do with the stuff I have decided has no place on my 100 list. Selling them didn't work, giving them to the local thrift shop doesn't work for me since they trash things that don't sell, and giving them away is hard because after dealing with so many "no-shows" that just causes me stress. Well God answered that problem! Tomorrow Purple Heart is going to be driving through my area looking for piles of "stuff" that have their postcard attached to it. Today I will carefully wrap the glassware, re-box the items so the tops can be taped and prepare to move it all outside tomorrow.
This weekend as I become more frustrated by the house and the time wasted on it, I felt God gently pushing me to work harder to get it cleared out and over with. I'll admit to taking my time since I thought I had four years. However, four years is MY timeline, not God's. I don't want to miss an opportunity that could be His plan for me, so today I start with setting aside time every single day to get rid of a box, when that box is full it goes into the van. What happens after that, I don't know, but God will tell me where the box goes. The problem is there is just too much already in the world. Everyone has too much and the people that are still in need exist without computers and internet to communicate that need.
God is good, as I sit here and type I was thinking about what to do with all the clothes I'm giving away. Some still have their tags. I remember at a quilting meeting someone came to talk to us about a women's home, I will give them a call today to see if they can use the clothes! Thank you God for always answering my prayers and guiding me through life.
Now off to tackle those boxes and start baking some bread. I found a new recipe today that uses Honey. I will let you know how it is and share a blog post about the wonders of honey!
This weekend as I become more frustrated by the house and the time wasted on it, I felt God gently pushing me to work harder to get it cleared out and over with. I'll admit to taking my time since I thought I had four years. However, four years is MY timeline, not God's. I don't want to miss an opportunity that could be His plan for me, so today I start with setting aside time every single day to get rid of a box, when that box is full it goes into the van. What happens after that, I don't know, but God will tell me where the box goes. The problem is there is just too much already in the world. Everyone has too much and the people that are still in need exist without computers and internet to communicate that need.
God is good, as I sit here and type I was thinking about what to do with all the clothes I'm giving away. Some still have their tags. I remember at a quilting meeting someone came to talk to us about a women's home, I will give them a call today to see if they can use the clothes! Thank you God for always answering my prayers and guiding me through life.
Now off to tackle those boxes and start baking some bread. I found a new recipe today that uses Honey. I will let you know how it is and share a blog post about the wonders of honey!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Yum, homemade bread!
On Friday I baked six loaves of Amish Friendship bread :-) Yum! Unfortunately with all the baking and cleaning up from the baking, I didn't think to snap a picture, but since I have four more loaves to make, I will be sure to take a picture.
On Monday I made two loaves of white bread. Fresh out of the oven, I sliced a few slices and my older daughter and I ate it warm. It was wonderful. Making bread takes time, time we don't always have. I don't own a bread machine and I have no desire to own one. Both the girls took a turn kneading the bread, which was like a novelty to them. I wonder if children of the 30's enjoyed kneading the bread or if they considered it a chore. Since the bread recipe I'm using requires fourteen hours to rise, I need to start the bread the night before and bake the following day, I have one daughter who needs bread in her school lunch, and I make hubby a sandwich every day as well. Slicing freshly baked bread isn't easy, hubby says my slices are too thick. Currently I'm getting about fourteen slices per loaf. With about eight slices a day being used and a recipe making twenty-four slices, in just three days the bread is gone! My plan is to start the bread every third night and if there isn't enough for lunches on baking day, pack them leftovers.
It is cheaper and easier to buy bread, so why make it?
There is something simple and beautiful about taking care of my family. Baking bread makes the house smell wonderful, no need for those plug-ins here! It gives me time with my daughters to laugh and "play" with dough while we take turns kneading. I know exactly what is in my bread, no HFCS or preservatives. Nothing can compare to eating a warm slice of good bread fresh out of the oven. It has also changed my mind-set. There was time, if I didn't have a can of rolls in the fridge, we wouldn't have rolls, now I just them myself. Today is my older daughter's 15th birthday! Happy birthday! I do not have a box of cake mix, I briefly thought of going to the store, but then I realized that I can make one from scratch!
Right now I don't think there is anything more important than taking care of my family and loving and serving God. Does it take extra time to do things this way? Yes, but every single second is time well spent.
Recipe for the Amish Friendship bread is found here: http://ourroadtosimplicity.blogspot.com/2010/09/amish-friendship-bread.html
Note added - bread freezes very well, I just put a piece of a wax paper between each slice, I put it in the fridge overnight and by lunch time it is ready for my family to eat!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Know what you are buying!
Do you know all the rules of the food industry? Probably not, neither do I, but I'm learning that they can call something 100% when it isn't. Honey is one of the products that they can call 100% honey and put other things in it. I now buy all my honey locally from bee farms so I know it is really 100% honey. What other things have you purchased and not known what was really in it?
I was really surprised to find that my 100% Pure Vanilla from a major brand actually has corn syrup in it! I started reading the other Vanilla bottles and discovered that not a single one was 100% Vanilla, but I did find one that has sugar instead of corn syrup. So that major brand that use to have my loyality, doesn't have it anymore. Does it cost more for the real sugar version? Yes, if it isn't on sale, but at my local grocery store it is on sale from now until Christmas for less than the major brand.
Lesson learned, really read all labels, no matter what the front says...
I was really surprised to find that my 100% Pure Vanilla from a major brand actually has corn syrup in it! I started reading the other Vanilla bottles and discovered that not a single one was 100% Vanilla, but I did find one that has sugar instead of corn syrup. So that major brand that use to have my loyality, doesn't have it anymore. Does it cost more for the real sugar version? Yes, if it isn't on sale, but at my local grocery store it is on sale from now until Christmas for less than the major brand.
Lesson learned, really read all labels, no matter what the front says...
Buy local
This is a post I have wanted to do for a while now. One of my goals with living a simpler life is buying local. My list of reasons why is huge so hopefully I will remember them all as I type.
A couple of weeks ago my younger daughter and I went to a local farm, Danda Farms. We were given some ground beef by a neighbor from that farm and we were hooked! All our red meat comes from them. All our fruits and vegetables come from local farmer's markets or from the actual farm. Buying local foods means they are fresher, usually healthier (I know which ones use chemicals and which ones don't), and it helps support local businesses.
Buying local keeps me out of bigger stores where I am tempted to buy foods and goods that I really don't need. When I go to the farmer's market I can leave with a weeks worth of produce for $10, when I go to the grocery store I leave with a weeks worth of produce and $40 of junk I don't really need! Should I be strong enough not to give in to temptation, sure I should, but I accept that I am who I am and going to market helps keep me in check!
What happens when buying local costs more? The meat I purchase at my favorite farm does sometimes cost more than my local grocery store. However, the meat at the farm is organic, I can talk to the farmers, I can see the cows, it tastes so much better than anything I can get in my grocery store, and I'm support a family with values similar to mine. If it means I buy less meat to have better meat, then that is the way it is.
What happens when buying other things locally costs more? I think it comes down to what is important. Do you need 40 items that you can get online for $100 or could you be happy with 2 items that you can buy from a local business for $20? Yes you can get more for your money online, but can you be happier with less? In most cases you can and you can feel good for helping local businesses. Another option would be to ask the local business if they can match the online price. I have spoken to local businesses who do just that. They have matched online prices to keep their customers happy.
Big box stores are every where, they can give us great prices on so many things, but at what cost? At what cost to our economy, our country, and our employees? This is a site that is interesting to read and watch... The Story of Stuff
Do I have the answer to the economy struggles? No. Do I think buying local will help? Yes.
How many times do you go to the store for a gallon of milk and come home with a cart full and wonder what happened? If you could go to a local farm and buy your milk, how much money would you save by not spending money on things you don't really need?
There are days I wish we could bring back a system of bartering, but sadly I don't think we ever could pull that off completely. So for now the best I can do is get down to just the basics, enjoy what is important and forget the rest. There is that great poem about 100 years from now. It is so true, our children will only care about the time we spent with them, not what we purchased for them. I can't remember anything that my parents purchased for me, but I do remember all the time my father spent in the garage working on cars instead of spending time with me. No one on their death bed says "I wish I had spent more time working", they always say they wished they had more time with family.
I was reading another blog last night and it was about a guy who owned just 100 personal items (he didn't count shared items or furniture, he also counted 300 books as 1 library and he did it for just a year), but he did it to bring awareness to consumerism. I would rather show what I'm for, not what I'm against! I'm for time with family, friends, serving the Lord. I'm for less clutter, less stuff, and less cleaning (you have to clean, but with less stuff, it will take less time) that steals our time. I'm for spending less so that we can do more with our families. Will I spend money? Yes, I will. But it will be to buy 3 shirts for my daughter instead of 20, it will be to take the family on a day trip to see this beautiful country, not on a video game. Will I save money? I hope so, because medical bills continue to come and they will only get more and more expensive, so I hope to save so I can pay them all. I'm about priorities and keeping those priorities in check and not allow material things to "own" me. Does it have to be 100 items for everyone? No, but I feel God is asking this of me, He has a plan and I'm going to do it!
I'm considering doing a few short You Tube videos to share on my blog.....what types of things would you be interested in seeing?
A couple of weeks ago my younger daughter and I went to a local farm, Danda Farms. We were given some ground beef by a neighbor from that farm and we were hooked! All our red meat comes from them. All our fruits and vegetables come from local farmer's markets or from the actual farm. Buying local foods means they are fresher, usually healthier (I know which ones use chemicals and which ones don't), and it helps support local businesses.
Buying local keeps me out of bigger stores where I am tempted to buy foods and goods that I really don't need. When I go to the farmer's market I can leave with a weeks worth of produce for $10, when I go to the grocery store I leave with a weeks worth of produce and $40 of junk I don't really need! Should I be strong enough not to give in to temptation, sure I should, but I accept that I am who I am and going to market helps keep me in check!
What happens when buying local costs more? The meat I purchase at my favorite farm does sometimes cost more than my local grocery store. However, the meat at the farm is organic, I can talk to the farmers, I can see the cows, it tastes so much better than anything I can get in my grocery store, and I'm support a family with values similar to mine. If it means I buy less meat to have better meat, then that is the way it is.
What happens when buying other things locally costs more? I think it comes down to what is important. Do you need 40 items that you can get online for $100 or could you be happy with 2 items that you can buy from a local business for $20? Yes you can get more for your money online, but can you be happier with less? In most cases you can and you can feel good for helping local businesses. Another option would be to ask the local business if they can match the online price. I have spoken to local businesses who do just that. They have matched online prices to keep their customers happy.
Big box stores are every where, they can give us great prices on so many things, but at what cost? At what cost to our economy, our country, and our employees? This is a site that is interesting to read and watch... The Story of Stuff
Do I have the answer to the economy struggles? No. Do I think buying local will help? Yes.
How many times do you go to the store for a gallon of milk and come home with a cart full and wonder what happened? If you could go to a local farm and buy your milk, how much money would you save by not spending money on things you don't really need?
There are days I wish we could bring back a system of bartering, but sadly I don't think we ever could pull that off completely. So for now the best I can do is get down to just the basics, enjoy what is important and forget the rest. There is that great poem about 100 years from now. It is so true, our children will only care about the time we spent with them, not what we purchased for them. I can't remember anything that my parents purchased for me, but I do remember all the time my father spent in the garage working on cars instead of spending time with me. No one on their death bed says "I wish I had spent more time working", they always say they wished they had more time with family.
I was reading another blog last night and it was about a guy who owned just 100 personal items (he didn't count shared items or furniture, he also counted 300 books as 1 library and he did it for just a year), but he did it to bring awareness to consumerism. I would rather show what I'm for, not what I'm against! I'm for time with family, friends, serving the Lord. I'm for less clutter, less stuff, and less cleaning (you have to clean, but with less stuff, it will take less time) that steals our time. I'm for spending less so that we can do more with our families. Will I spend money? Yes, I will. But it will be to buy 3 shirts for my daughter instead of 20, it will be to take the family on a day trip to see this beautiful country, not on a video game. Will I save money? I hope so, because medical bills continue to come and they will only get more and more expensive, so I hope to save so I can pay them all. I'm about priorities and keeping those priorities in check and not allow material things to "own" me. Does it have to be 100 items for everyone? No, but I feel God is asking this of me, He has a plan and I'm going to do it!
I'm considering doing a few short You Tube videos to share on my blog.....what types of things would you be interested in seeing?
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Separating from our "stuff"
Today I was made aware again of something very important about our "stuff". It isn't "ours", none of it. Everything we own belongs to God, everything. He gave us our talents to earn money and build our beautiful homes, He gave us our bodies, our breath, and everything we touch. Everything we have belongs to God and when we remember that, how much easier is it to let go. If God wants us to have something, it will remain with us (or find it's way back), but sometimes He has other plans for our "possessions".
Sometimes we struggle to let go because of what we paid for something. Yesterday while on the phone with my mother she asked if I wanted a sofa table that was in my childhood home, normally I would jump and say yes, but I don't have the room in my 100 item list, so I said no. She told me that she will never get what she paid for it and it was a good table, so she can't sell it, but she doesn't want it. Sadly she will probably live with it until the day she dies and allow it to rob her of what should be important because of money. I was there at one point, she raised me and I shared many of her views, but surrendering to God's plan has been more freeing than anything else I ever could have done. Is it easy all the time......no.....but God gives me what I need exactly when I need it never before, so when it is hard to follow His plan for me, He will give me strength and guidance to continue.
Today I'm cleaning out the school room. I have home educated my girls for 8 years now, this was the first year that my older daughter has been to school since she was 6. I created the school room earlier this year after realizing the room would never be a nursery (another one of God's plans). The walls were painting using "oops" paints that I got for $5 a gallon in green, the trim is yellow also an "oops" paint that I got for $1 when we first purchased our home. One wall is painted with chalkboard paint creating a wonderful place to teach. The room also holds the computers, the filing cabinet, a bookcase, and my daughter's Barbies. There is my computer (which lately hasn't been working) and my daughters' computer. Both are old and given to us when the owners upgraded to a newer computer, one has to go! My plan is to go through the 5 file boxes and put everything that is "keep" into the filing cabinet, clean all the books out and give away the bookcase, move one computer desk to my older daughter's room for school work, and move my younger daughter's bed into the room. To know we can fit into a 600 square foot cabin, we are going to one day have everything we own fit into the living room, kitchen, and two bedrooms. This is the start to moving both my girls from their up stairs bedrooms down to the one bedroom on the main floor. We live in a cape cod style house, the upstairs bedrooms were created from the attic, so the ceilings are sloped and it is hard to cool and heat the rooms, having both daughter's downstairs will help with electricity costs, which will be nice. There are two bedrooms on the main floor, both are small, but what our cabin's rooms will probably be sized. I'm not expecting a miracle and to have the room done in one day, but that would be nice. There is also a closet in there that I have filled with all kinds of wonderful crafting supplies, that will need to be emptied, that will be hard! God will help me. I will set up a chair in the room and invite God to sit with me while I work.
Have a beautiful weekend everyone! Enjoy the weather, the day, the hours God gives us!
Sometimes we struggle to let go because of what we paid for something. Yesterday while on the phone with my mother she asked if I wanted a sofa table that was in my childhood home, normally I would jump and say yes, but I don't have the room in my 100 item list, so I said no. She told me that she will never get what she paid for it and it was a good table, so she can't sell it, but she doesn't want it. Sadly she will probably live with it until the day she dies and allow it to rob her of what should be important because of money. I was there at one point, she raised me and I shared many of her views, but surrendering to God's plan has been more freeing than anything else I ever could have done. Is it easy all the time......no.....but God gives me what I need exactly when I need it never before, so when it is hard to follow His plan for me, He will give me strength and guidance to continue.
Today I'm cleaning out the school room. I have home educated my girls for 8 years now, this was the first year that my older daughter has been to school since she was 6. I created the school room earlier this year after realizing the room would never be a nursery (another one of God's plans). The walls were painting using "oops" paints that I got for $5 a gallon in green, the trim is yellow also an "oops" paint that I got for $1 when we first purchased our home. One wall is painted with chalkboard paint creating a wonderful place to teach. The room also holds the computers, the filing cabinet, a bookcase, and my daughter's Barbies. There is my computer (which lately hasn't been working) and my daughters' computer. Both are old and given to us when the owners upgraded to a newer computer, one has to go! My plan is to go through the 5 file boxes and put everything that is "keep" into the filing cabinet, clean all the books out and give away the bookcase, move one computer desk to my older daughter's room for school work, and move my younger daughter's bed into the room. To know we can fit into a 600 square foot cabin, we are going to one day have everything we own fit into the living room, kitchen, and two bedrooms. This is the start to moving both my girls from their up stairs bedrooms down to the one bedroom on the main floor. We live in a cape cod style house, the upstairs bedrooms were created from the attic, so the ceilings are sloped and it is hard to cool and heat the rooms, having both daughter's downstairs will help with electricity costs, which will be nice. There are two bedrooms on the main floor, both are small, but what our cabin's rooms will probably be sized. I'm not expecting a miracle and to have the room done in one day, but that would be nice. There is also a closet in there that I have filled with all kinds of wonderful crafting supplies, that will need to be emptied, that will be hard! God will help me. I will set up a chair in the room and invite God to sit with me while I work.
Have a beautiful weekend everyone! Enjoy the weather, the day, the hours God gives us!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Pictures!
I am always excited to share pictures in my posts, but sadly I rarely seem to get the pictures in with the post. Today I share with you pictures from two different posts.
Little One purchased a pumpkin at our favorite organic farm (blog post about that coming soon!) and decided to paint instead of carve it. She had a great time and we have a beautiful centerpiece!
A few days ago she baked a cake and then made frosting and decorated it. (As I'm typing this she is sewing a pillow for her older sister's birthday, she makes a mama proud!)
(You can see my large bookcase in the background, believe it or not I already got rid of boxes and boxes of books! I still need to get it down to just 4 books!)
Little One purchased a pumpkin at our favorite organic farm (blog post about that coming soon!) and decided to paint instead of carve it. She had a great time and we have a beautiful centerpiece!
A few days ago she baked a cake and then made frosting and decorated it. (As I'm typing this she is sewing a pillow for her older sister's birthday, she makes a mama proud!)
(You can see my large bookcase in the background, believe it or not I already got rid of boxes and boxes of books! I still need to get it down to just 4 books!)
Monday, October 4, 2010
My simplicity
After receiving a hurtful written attack on the choices I am making, I thought it was time to talk to address my choices.
Simplicity isn't about giving up or sacrificing, it is about deciding what is important and focusing on that. Yes I am giving up most of what I own, but that is a choice and one I'm very happy about. Could I get a full time job and work endless hours in hopes of keeping what isn't really important, yes I could, but at what cost? My children will only be young once, I will only have one chance to raise them and see them at this age. They grow so quickly. I will only have one chance to spend this time with my husband to take care of him and our home. I choice to "give up" the stuff to keep my life with my family. Stuff can steal so much from us, our time to clean it, our money to maintain it, our relationships because we are too busy "playing" with computers, video games, electronics, and other modern day toys.
The pioneers had a hard life, they traveled west and could only take what would fit in their wagon. Some died along the way, but they did it for what was important to them. Their family and a better future. I think if they were to see today what we have, they would trade everything we "own" for health and time as a family. Our society makes it easy to want more and more, I read a blog this morning that promotes family and even it encouraged buying, yes it was innocent, but it was still there. Ads line the pages of the internet, are in between every tv show, and even along the road as we drive. We are taught that it is ok to want and not only that it is ok, that it is our right to have more and more and more. Credit card companies provide us with instant happiness, but what happens when the bills come in? Is the joy we originally had still there? Do we still look at the dress we got on sale for $45 with the same joy after we month after month pay for it on a credit card with the interest rate going up and up? It is so freeing to give everything up, it is freeing to know that I don't need to buy the "next newest things", to keep up the Joneses.
When I started this journey, I started alone, I didn't ask my husband or my children to join me. I felt God was asking me to do this and if He wanted them to join me, He would guide them to that decision. So I started cleaning out and praying for my family to join me one day. It didn't take long for my husband to join me, he sold his paintball set, which was huge for him. My younger daughter was thrilled with doing laundry by plunger and giving up new and eating better, she is still not crazy about the 100 item plan, but there is still time. My older daughter, who will be 15 this month, is ok with moving to a cabin, and giving up "stuff", isn't thrilled with the idea of hand washing when she knows there is a machine in the basement and she isn't too thrilled about giving up some of her favorite foods, but that is ok, if God wants her to come around it will happen. I am choosing to walk this path with God, I know that is hard for people to understand. I am choosing to live a life that people rarely do in this day and age, but I'm happy with it.
Simplicity isn't about giving up or sacrificing, it is about deciding what is important and focusing on that. Yes I am giving up most of what I own, but that is a choice and one I'm very happy about. Could I get a full time job and work endless hours in hopes of keeping what isn't really important, yes I could, but at what cost? My children will only be young once, I will only have one chance to raise them and see them at this age. They grow so quickly. I will only have one chance to spend this time with my husband to take care of him and our home. I choice to "give up" the stuff to keep my life with my family. Stuff can steal so much from us, our time to clean it, our money to maintain it, our relationships because we are too busy "playing" with computers, video games, electronics, and other modern day toys.
The pioneers had a hard life, they traveled west and could only take what would fit in their wagon. Some died along the way, but they did it for what was important to them. Their family and a better future. I think if they were to see today what we have, they would trade everything we "own" for health and time as a family. Our society makes it easy to want more and more, I read a blog this morning that promotes family and even it encouraged buying, yes it was innocent, but it was still there. Ads line the pages of the internet, are in between every tv show, and even along the road as we drive. We are taught that it is ok to want and not only that it is ok, that it is our right to have more and more and more. Credit card companies provide us with instant happiness, but what happens when the bills come in? Is the joy we originally had still there? Do we still look at the dress we got on sale for $45 with the same joy after we month after month pay for it on a credit card with the interest rate going up and up? It is so freeing to give everything up, it is freeing to know that I don't need to buy the "next newest things", to keep up the Joneses.
When I started this journey, I started alone, I didn't ask my husband or my children to join me. I felt God was asking me to do this and if He wanted them to join me, He would guide them to that decision. So I started cleaning out and praying for my family to join me one day. It didn't take long for my husband to join me, he sold his paintball set, which was huge for him. My younger daughter was thrilled with doing laundry by plunger and giving up new and eating better, she is still not crazy about the 100 item plan, but there is still time. My older daughter, who will be 15 this month, is ok with moving to a cabin, and giving up "stuff", isn't thrilled with the idea of hand washing when she knows there is a machine in the basement and she isn't too thrilled about giving up some of her favorite foods, but that is ok, if God wants her to come around it will happen. I am choosing to walk this path with God, I know that is hard for people to understand. I am choosing to live a life that people rarely do in this day and age, but I'm happy with it.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Simple weekend
This weekend didn't go as planned, but turned out nice anyway. Saturday my younger daughter found a leaf in the yard that was curled and looked like a boat. She said it looked like Tinkerbell's boat, so she got the laundry bucket and filled it with water. Using a fallen branch as the path to the bucket, she placed the bucket underneath and she went off to find some fairies. A twig broken into pieces made the perfect sized fairy for her boat. Using a larger leaf and a vine, she created a backpack for her fairy. She played so beautifully, I thought of going inside to grab the camera, but decided instead to enjoy the time just watching her play. Even though tears from an earlier event streamed down my face, the afternoon was lovely watching her play with such simple joy.
As I type she is in the kitchen putting the homemade frosting on her the cake she baked this morning. Using frosting bags and different tips, she is creating her own design on the cake. An art that is dying out with the invention of machines that can do perfect designs in less time and with less cost and more profit to stores. It is sad to think it is cheaper to buy certain things than make them yourself.
It is a cool crisp day, with so much promise left as it is only early afternoon. What little joys are yet to be found today?
As I type she is in the kitchen putting the homemade frosting on her the cake she baked this morning. Using frosting bags and different tips, she is creating her own design on the cake. An art that is dying out with the invention of machines that can do perfect designs in less time and with less cost and more profit to stores. It is sad to think it is cheaper to buy certain things than make them yourself.
It is a cool crisp day, with so much promise left as it is only early afternoon. What little joys are yet to be found today?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
When the unthinkable happens
How precious life is, from the moment of conception until the moment of natural death. What happens when that death comes too early or at least what we feel is too early? God calls some of us home instantly, others have some warning because of an illness. It is never easy, we cry when babies leave this world, we cry when the elderly leave this world and everyone in between. We may ask "why?", but God doesn't usually answer. Trusting in His plan is one of the hardest things we will ever do with our lives. Trusting when we are hurting and grieving seems nearly impossible, but God is good and He does have a plan. Enjoy each and every day with the ones you love!
Today I am reminded of the gifts I have, my husband, my children, my extended family, and my friends. The rest means nothing, absolutely nothing. A house can be rebuilt, memories are stored in our minds and new memories can be made, cars can be replaced, money can be earned, and possessions reclaimed. A person, nothing can replace a person, a gift, a blessing from God.
I refuse to waste my time on stuff, I refuse to give away this gift of family for all the things I have spent years collecting. I refuse to waste the hours in my day on things that don't matter.
In all things Praise be to God!
Today I am reminded of the gifts I have, my husband, my children, my extended family, and my friends. The rest means nothing, absolutely nothing. A house can be rebuilt, memories are stored in our minds and new memories can be made, cars can be replaced, money can be earned, and possessions reclaimed. A person, nothing can replace a person, a gift, a blessing from God.
I refuse to waste my time on stuff, I refuse to give away this gift of family for all the things I have spent years collecting. I refuse to waste the hours in my day on things that don't matter.
In all things Praise be to God!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
FAQ
I have updated the FAQ page, please forgive me for not having done it sooner. I tried to remember some questions and I answered some from an email I received. Please take a look and send me any other questions you may have or can think of. It is always wonderful to receive email from my readers!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Saying Goodbye to......
High Fructose Corn Syrup!
While clearing out my house, I started thinking about clearing out my body. In order to have more time and energy for my family, serving others, and Praising God, I need to be healthy. God always finds a way to make something clear to me and though one online friend "Msword" whose family is HFCS free and a local friend who recently went to a seminar about food. On Saturday I spoke with my husband about it and said
"Deb mentioned mercury is used when processing HFCS"
Younger dd - "What is Mercury?"
Hubby - "It's a type of metal"
Younger dd - makes a face
Since then every single food that my daughter has wanted to eat has been brought to me to confirm that there is NO HFCS which she is completely refusing to eat! Her exact words "I don't want to eat metal". At the very least my younger daughter and I are going to be HFCS free! I don't push ideas on anyone, even my children, so I'm glad to see one of them making this healthy decision on their own. My older daughter will eat whatever I make, so she will become HFCS free simply because I won't be making anything with it at meals. Hubby is another story, I will be praying!
Today I'm going to start the process for the Amish Friendship Bread and will be making all home-made bread from now on. There is too much processing done to bread and most have HFCS! I'm considering creating a small cookbook with simple recipes using basic kitchen tools, so that someone who only have the basics can still make yummy dishes. My mind is swirling with ideas!
Hope everyone has a beautiful day!
While clearing out my house, I started thinking about clearing out my body. In order to have more time and energy for my family, serving others, and Praising God, I need to be healthy. God always finds a way to make something clear to me and though one online friend "Msword" whose family is HFCS free and a local friend who recently went to a seminar about food. On Saturday I spoke with my husband about it and said
"Deb mentioned mercury is used when processing HFCS"
Younger dd - "What is Mercury?"
Hubby - "It's a type of metal"
Younger dd - makes a face
Since then every single food that my daughter has wanted to eat has been brought to me to confirm that there is NO HFCS which she is completely refusing to eat! Her exact words "I don't want to eat metal". At the very least my younger daughter and I are going to be HFCS free! I don't push ideas on anyone, even my children, so I'm glad to see one of them making this healthy decision on their own. My older daughter will eat whatever I make, so she will become HFCS free simply because I won't be making anything with it at meals. Hubby is another story, I will be praying!
Today I'm going to start the process for the Amish Friendship Bread and will be making all home-made bread from now on. There is too much processing done to bread and most have HFCS! I'm considering creating a small cookbook with simple recipes using basic kitchen tools, so that someone who only have the basics can still make yummy dishes. My mind is swirling with ideas!
Hope everyone has a beautiful day!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Our new wringer!
Yesterday my husband met a man the next town over to pick up our new wringer! Excited barely describes the emotion of it arriving home. Unfortunately a stomach ache kept us from trying it out yesterday. Today, stomach ache free, although very tired, we tried it out! A basket full of dirty laundry, a bucket with wash water, a plunger for agitating, a metal tub with rinse water and our new wringer ready to go, we completed a load of laundry and hung it up to dry. I was worried that a towel would never fit through, but it did. The wringer is so well made and thought out. There is a hook to hold the "tray" for the wrung out water in place so it doesn't rock back and forth. There are two large screws that allow you control over how tight you want it to wring. We made it larger for the towel and jeans. A great investment!
I see you!
I see you!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Amish Friendship Bread
A quilting friend asked for the Amish Friendship Bread recipe and asked if I would share it here so more people could have the recipe. I'm happy to share.
Starter (there are two options)
Starter #1
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup regular flour, not self rising
Mix, pour into Ziploc baggies, begin process
Starter #2
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 pkg (2 1/2 tsp) yeast
Mis, pour into Ziploc baggies, begin process
Do NOT use a metal bowl for mixing, do NOT refrigerate, if air gets into the bag, let it out. It is normal to thicken, bubble and ferment
Day 1 - this is the day you receive or start your batter Do Nothing
Day 2 - Squeeze bag
Day 3 - squeeze bag
Day 4 - squeeze bag
Day 5 - squeeze bag
Day 6 - Add 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of milk
Day 7 - squeeze bag
Day 8 - squeeze bag
Day 9 - squeeze bag
Day 10 - Combine in a large bowl the batter and add 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk
Day 11 - Baking day!
Pour 4 one cup starts into ziploc bags. Keep one starter for yourself, and give the other 3 to your friends along with these instructions.
To the remaining batter in the bowl add the following and mix well:
1 cup oil
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup milk
1 large box instant vanilla pudding
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
Pour into 2 large, well greased loaf pans. Sprinkle some extra cinnamon sugar on top. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.
Enjoy!
Starter (there are two options)
Starter #1
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup regular flour, not self rising
Mix, pour into Ziploc baggies, begin process
Starter #2
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 pkg (2 1/2 tsp) yeast
Mis, pour into Ziploc baggies, begin process
Do NOT use a metal bowl for mixing, do NOT refrigerate, if air gets into the bag, let it out. It is normal to thicken, bubble and ferment
Day 1 - this is the day you receive or start your batter Do Nothing
Day 2 - Squeeze bag
Day 3 - squeeze bag
Day 4 - squeeze bag
Day 5 - squeeze bag
Day 6 - Add 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of milk
Day 7 - squeeze bag
Day 8 - squeeze bag
Day 9 - squeeze bag
Day 10 - Combine in a large bowl the batter and add 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk
Day 11 - Baking day!
Pour 4 one cup starts into ziploc bags. Keep one starter for yourself, and give the other 3 to your friends along with these instructions.
To the remaining batter in the bowl add the following and mix well:
1 cup oil
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup milk
1 large box instant vanilla pudding
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
Pour into 2 large, well greased loaf pans. Sprinkle some extra cinnamon sugar on top. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.
Enjoy!
Monday, September 20, 2010
It was my turn!
Yesterday I was awaken by my younger daughter who was sick in the bathroom. She spent most of her day sleeping in a chair and is still asleep now. She did wake up to eat and use the restroom and even for a little while to watch some tv, but she still needs her rest, so I'm letting her sleep!
I got up at 6 this morning, nudged my older daughter out of bed and off to school, did some reading, prayed, got dinner going in the crock pot, cleaned up the kitchen, folded some laundry and then did something I haven't done before..... I used the plunger and the bucket and did a load of laundry. So far younger daughter hasn't allowed me to do it, she enjoys doing it and I enjoy watching her do it, but since she is sick it is my turn.
Went out into the brisk air and retrieved the bucket and came inside to fill it. I knit our dishcloths and had a small pile forming of ones that need to be washed, so I filled the bucket with hot water and soap and added a few dishcloths and dish towels. A very small load compared to what my daughter does. They soaked while I did some other chores and then when Max (our large rescue dog) asked to go out, I grabbed the bucket, went outside and started with the plunger. I used a "Cold Beer" metal tub that we got for a holiday party we had at our house one year to rinse the washed towels. Hand wrung them out and hung them on the line. They are now blowing in the breeze!
What a beautiful start to the day!
I got up at 6 this morning, nudged my older daughter out of bed and off to school, did some reading, prayed, got dinner going in the crock pot, cleaned up the kitchen, folded some laundry and then did something I haven't done before..... I used the plunger and the bucket and did a load of laundry. So far younger daughter hasn't allowed me to do it, she enjoys doing it and I enjoy watching her do it, but since she is sick it is my turn.
Went out into the brisk air and retrieved the bucket and came inside to fill it. I knit our dishcloths and had a small pile forming of ones that need to be washed, so I filled the bucket with hot water and soap and added a few dishcloths and dish towels. A very small load compared to what my daughter does. They soaked while I did some other chores and then when Max (our large rescue dog) asked to go out, I grabbed the bucket, went outside and started with the plunger. I used a "Cold Beer" metal tub that we got for a holiday party we had at our house one year to rinse the washed towels. Hand wrung them out and hung them on the line. They are now blowing in the breeze!
What a beautiful start to the day!
Some days I fall short
Some days I fall short on the kind of wife I would like to be. Today God gently reminded me of what I want for my life and my families lives and my focus is returning to that. It all goes hand in hand. I can't be the type of wife God and I would like me to be when I have to focus on stuff.
What type of wife would I like to be you ask....
A 1950's housewife. The apron, dinner on the table, house in complete order....the whole package! When this is the wife I am, the house runs smoothly and hubby is happy. So why do I not live up to my goal? I allow things that shouldn't get in the way to get in the way..... clutter (that will all be gone is 4 years), tv (even though we only have 5 free channels I still watch in the evenings), and computer (oh I am naughty and come on here too often, but I enjoy visiting my friends online). Modern technology has given us a great many things, but has it also allowed marriages to crumble and family life to suffer? I don't have any answers right now, but these are things I want to focus on and think about today.
Thank you
for reminding me today!
What type of wife would I like to be you ask....
A 1950's housewife. The apron, dinner on the table, house in complete order....the whole package! When this is the wife I am, the house runs smoothly and hubby is happy. So why do I not live up to my goal? I allow things that shouldn't get in the way to get in the way..... clutter (that will all be gone is 4 years), tv (even though we only have 5 free channels I still watch in the evenings), and computer (oh I am naughty and come on here too often, but I enjoy visiting my friends online). Modern technology has given us a great many things, but has it also allowed marriages to crumble and family life to suffer? I don't have any answers right now, but these are things I want to focus on and think about today.
Thank you
for reminding me today!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Something I would like to try
Now that younger daughter is doing laundry daily with her bucket and plunger, I would like her to try Soap Nuts :-) They are actually a fruit off a tree that when dried look like a nut and is used as a soap. The company above is just one of many companies selling the nuts. In dream world I would like to plant a Soap Nut tree, but the climate here gets much too cold. Do any of you use Soap Nuts? Which ones do you like and from which companies? Anyone have a Soap Nut tree?
Why I Blog....
I was reading another blog and today she answered the question of "Why do I blog?". The question is part of a series of questions offered through the blog The Secret is in the Sauce. Since today I have been thinking about this question, I thought this would be a good time to answer it.
I blog because I want a record of my journey from owning way too much, to owning just 100 items.
I want to be accountable to someone, anyone that can literally check on my process on here (I am already accountable to God, but having people here is a huge help).
I want to inspire, even if it is just one person, to trust and do something that they may not normally do.
I want to share my faith, hopes, and dreams of the future, just putting it out there makes it seem more obtainable.
I also like to write. I don't have a book in me like many people say they do, but I have short paragraphs that I can write and share.
WOW I really hope I don't use I this often to start sentences again! Please come back to visit me!
I blog because I want a record of my journey from owning way too much, to owning just 100 items.
I want to be accountable to someone, anyone that can literally check on my process on here (I am already accountable to God, but having people here is a huge help).
I want to inspire, even if it is just one person, to trust and do something that they may not normally do.
I want to share my faith, hopes, and dreams of the future, just putting it out there makes it seem more obtainable.
I also like to write. I don't have a book in me like many people say they do, but I have short paragraphs that I can write and share.
WOW I really hope I don't use I this often to start sentences again! Please come back to visit me!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
God speaks, I listen
Discouraged....it is a word I use often and how I feel a good bit of the time. It is how I am feeling today.
I'm working on clearing off a very large bookcase, have two boxes ready to go! While flipping through the books I found a slip of paper and it reads....
I'm working on clearing off a very large bookcase, have two boxes ready to go! While flipping through the books I found a slip of paper and it reads....
It was once announced that the devil was going out of business and would offer all tools for sale to whoever would pay his price.
On the night of the sale they were all attractively displayed, a bad looking lot. Malice, Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Sensuality, and Deceit, and all other implements of evil were spread out, each marked with it's price.
Apart from the rest lay a harmless looking wedge-shaped tool, much worn and priced higher than any of them. Someone asked the devil what it was.
"That's Discouragement," was the reply.
"Why do you have it priced so high?"
"Because," replied the devil, "it is more useful to me than any of the others. I can pry open and get inside a man's conscience with that when I could not get near him with any of the others, and when once inside I can use him in whatever way suits me best. It is so much worn because I use it with nearly everybody, as very few people yet know it belongs to me."
It hardly need be added that the devil's price for Discouragement was so high that it was never sold. He still owns it and is still using it.
- William V. Agnew S.J.
George Cardinal Mundelein Archbishop of Chicago
Free copies available from
Catholic Leaflet Apostolate
2740 West Central Ave
Toledo, Ohio 43606
A clothes wringer
Went hunting for a clothes wringer today and didn't have any luck. Daughter is enjoying doing the laundry. She did another load yesterday and is getting ready to do another one today. Our struggling is wringing out the clothing, particularly towels!
Today I made some baking soda shampoo. I wanted to give the dog a bath and since I'm getting ready to start using baking soda shampoo myself, I thought this was a great opportunity to try it. I didn't measure out the baking soda, but I think for the next batch I will add more baking soda to the water. Doggie is clean and smells good, so I think it was a success!
Working continues on the living room. We gave away a love-seat that we used, but was taking up too much space. It is amazing how open our living room looks and feels now. Books continue to be hard for me to part with. I have been given great suggestions on dealing with them, but sadly I don't have time to keep the pages I would like or the money to buy an electric book device. Yes the library is wonderful, but I own these books because they weren't available at any local library. So one by one I will work at letting them go. God has a better plan for me, than I do for myself, so what are books when I can have the life He wants for me!
I'm rethinking the direction of my blog. Would love thoughts and opinions about what you like and what you don't like about my blog. Ideas of things you would like me to add. Send me an email or leave a comment and let me know!
Today I made some baking soda shampoo. I wanted to give the dog a bath and since I'm getting ready to start using baking soda shampoo myself, I thought this was a great opportunity to try it. I didn't measure out the baking soda, but I think for the next batch I will add more baking soda to the water. Doggie is clean and smells good, so I think it was a success!
Working continues on the living room. We gave away a love-seat that we used, but was taking up too much space. It is amazing how open our living room looks and feels now. Books continue to be hard for me to part with. I have been given great suggestions on dealing with them, but sadly I don't have time to keep the pages I would like or the money to buy an electric book device. Yes the library is wonderful, but I own these books because they weren't available at any local library. So one by one I will work at letting them go. God has a better plan for me, than I do for myself, so what are books when I can have the life He wants for me!
I'm rethinking the direction of my blog. Would love thoughts and opinions about what you like and what you don't like about my blog. Ideas of things you would like me to add. Send me an email or leave a comment and let me know!
Monday, September 13, 2010
A bucket and a plunger...... hehe
Well it's Monday :-)
Long day that I won't bore you with. Short version....while looking for other things, I found a bucket for $2.50 and a plunger and created a temporary washing station. My younger dd was so excited and she did a load of her laundry today. We definitely do need a wringer as she wasn't strong enough to get enough of the water out and the clothes line fell down from the weight (she wouldn't let me help).
waiting for mommy to take a picture so she can start washing!
The wind was blowing while she was hanging
Daughter having fun filled her washing tub
Daughter also did a load of fabric for me! This was sent by a friend for a quilt I'm working on.
Really going to need another bucket! One for washing and one for rinsing!
A load hanging to dry!
Long day that I won't bore you with. Short version....while looking for other things, I found a bucket for $2.50 and a plunger and created a temporary washing station. My younger dd was so excited and she did a load of her laundry today. We definitely do need a wringer as she wasn't strong enough to get enough of the water out and the clothes line fell down from the weight (she wouldn't let me help).
waiting for mommy to take a picture so she can start washing!
The wind was blowing while she was hanging
Daughter having fun filled her washing tub
Daughter also did a load of fabric for me! This was sent by a friend for a quilt I'm working on.
Really going to need another bucket! One for washing and one for rinsing!
A load hanging to dry!
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