More sewing.

I thought I would share my latest sewing projects. (Now that I figured out how to post pictures on my blog...)

Grady had a growth spurt and was in need of some new pajamas. I really can't stand the stuff in retail stores. They are almost always covered in flame retardant and/or have some character or design on them that I really don't want my kids to wear. So, I found an awesome pattern by Kwik Sew 2315 really inexpensive from eBay and here is the result...

The more I use Kwik Sew patterns, the happier I am with the outcomes. The patterns are also wonderful to trace, since all the size lines are color coded.

Another new hobby! (Courtesy of Eric)

First of all, yes I know there is an earlier post with the same title... I'm just not feeling creative with words today.

OK, now that that's out of the way, I will tell you how this new hobby started.

As some of you know, I am not cutting my hair anymore. I have been letting it grow for over 1 1/2 years so far and I finally had to teach myself how to trim the ends, because the split ends were getting bad.  Anyway, I have been having more and more difficulty trying to figure out what to do with all this hair, especially since I can't stand to have it in or around my face, it MUST be up or at least half up. I have had Eric braiding my hair (I can't myself since it is so thick), when he has the time, ponytail holder were starting to get tangled in my hair, that I had to start adding a second one and that was becoming very annoying. So, I went searching on the internet to see what other women with long hair do.

I stumbled upon a long hair forum, which led me to all sorts of things, which I have tried before and never worked, so I kept searching and found a product called Flexi8. I liked what I saw, but there was no way I could afford to pay $15+ for 1 hair thing, so I showed it to Eric to see what he said. He told me that we should be able to make them ourselves.

So, now Eric and I share a new hobby, beading.

Here is the first one that we made. I really like it. We have made 2 so far and are planning on making more of different sizes, so Tabitha can wear them too.

Here is the 2nd.

Eric, of course, was the mastermind behind the hair stick piece and I do the beading. I really don't know if there is anything he can't do!

The ladies at the bead shop think that we need to make a bunch of them and sell them at craft shows, since no one has really seen anything like this. We are considering it. With the help of eBay and our creative talents, we are thinking about trying it out at Hartville.

If any of our friends and family are interested in these, let me know. There a million and one possibilities, which makes this hobby twice as fun (also having Eric helping me is awesome too). And they won't cost you more than the materials to make them. The largest size costs about $5 in parts.

Bellies and Babies: Sensationalism and Sleeping Arrangements

Bellies and Babies: Sensationalism and Sleeping Arrangements: Recently the City of Milwaukee Health Department began circulating ads intended to dissuade co-sleeping amongst Milwaukee residents. Mayor...

Save money by sewing

1.  Did you know you can get away with buying 4 basic colors of thread for all your sewing needs? That's right! Ignore those patterns that tell you that you have to have a blendable color for every project you sew. I'm not saying this if you are sewing a formal or fancy project. But, your day to day, normal sewing should only really take white, off white, navy, or black.

2.  Children's clothing prices are outrageous at the stores anymore. You can buy a whole book of basic clothing sewing patterns for a fraction of the cost of buying each pattern separately. Also, the fabric amounts you buy will cost about as much as getting the article on sale somewhere (and the cost of driving all around town to different stores). Also it will most likely be made better (patterns lined up, seams correctly sewn...).

3.  Get pattern tracing material and have your patterns for life. If your daughter has a favorite dress you made, most likely the pattern came in multiple sizes, so you will be able to make the same dress in a bigger size for her. You can even hand them down to your children, since the master patterns will never see scissors.

If anyone has anymore money saving sewing ideas, please comment below, so the whole world can do it too!

Sewing thoughts

As I just posted, my sewing machine is broken. So, that has freed up more time for research. I wonder how many people actually know that sewing companies used to make, and some still do, pattern books. I recently have found that I really like Kwik Sew patterns. They actually have real paper patterns, instead of those flimsy tissue paper ones they seem to clearance out every couple weeks at JoAnn. Anyway, I was browsing the Kwik Sew website and I happened to see on the side list "Sewing Books". So I clicked it. I was amazed. You can buy a whole book of basic patterns, averaging 20+ per book and in multiple sizes in the same book too! There are also Martha Pullen (heirloom sewing) books also. I will definitely be looking for these on eBay. I will then be able to make all of children's wardrobe, instead of endlessly looking for appropriate clothing for our kids, which are more and more recently poorly made in the first place. I am even considering making Eric his work and everyday clothes. I have already ordered a t-shirt pattern for him. It is just too expensive to buy everything from the Big & Tall shops (1 plain t-shirt runs about $30! vs 2 yards of on sale fabric will be around $8-10).

Another thing I have learned recently is that there is pattern tracing material. It is kind of see through and won't stretch or warp, so you can lay it over a pattern that you want to cut out and never have to cut your master pattern! Man, I should have found this a long time ago! I have been cutting out every size of my patterns and tracing them on felt, so I can have every size and never have to buy that particular pattern again. Granted I have thankfully only done that to 6 patterns, but that is a lot of work I put myself through. Especially the infant layette pattern I recently finished tracing... I'm so glad I found this other method before I started cutting into my heirloom patterns. I still have many patterns on my wish list, especially from King's Daughter's, and am so happy I won't have to cut them up and can keep them forever, once I am able to get them.

Another new hobby!

Yes, I know I have been going hobby crazy this past year, but I am making up for lost time! I am now trying my hand at smocking. Get it hand? Boy, I crack myself up (and I'm really tired right now...).

I have always loved heirloom sewing, but it so expensive to buy completed outfits! Now that I know the basics of sewing and am getting a new sewing machine with embroidery feature (YEAH!!!), since my White Classic 312 has now gone kaput, I started researching things to embroider. The first thing that came up was heirloom sewing projects. I thought I was in heaven when I started researching all the beautiful designs and patterns. Then I came across how people get pleated material... you can do it yourself (imagine that...), but the machines cost upward of $200-$300. My dreams started crashing down, until I thought I would try to see if a pleater was being sold on Craigslist. To my surprise there was one AND she only wanted $20 for it. I thought it was going to be another let down, that some how it needed repaired or it was rusted. I contacted the seller, she told me it was in perfect order!! It was even the 24 row Sally Stanley one! I was in disbelief. Well, long story short, it took over 3 weeks for me to get it from her, but tonight we made the trek to Medina and picked it up. It works beautifully and it even came with extra needles and 13 spools of thread!

The Lord is very good to us. He has provided me with a smocking pleater for next to nothing and we have my new sewing/embroidery machine on layaway at JoAnn, which was on super sale for $1300 off the retail price (I'm only paying $700)!

I am so excited to try and make a few baby items for a couple friends and family that are expecting in the next couple of months. I have been finding excellent deals on eBay (as always) on Martha Pullen, Chery Williams, Ellen McCarn, and Primrose Lane patterns. I'm not yet ready to do hand smocking, but am going to use my new machine, when I finally get it home, to do all the decorative stitching. It really is amazing how many beautiful heirloom embroidery patterns you can download for free on the Internet. I think I have almost 600 designs, and I keep finding more every time I find a moment to look.

I am so happy I have saved so many pieces of scrap material also. I don't have to worry about wasting money on practice pieces, and believe me, since I am unable to sew right now, I will be taking the time I normally sew and put that energy into perfecting my pleater skills. Watch out world, as soon as I have everything I need, I will be smocking and heirloom sewing everything!

Here are a few patterns that I have. I think they are absolutely gorgeous!
http://www.marthasheirlooms.com/images/Cwbabbis.jpg

http://www.marthasheirlooms.com/images/Cwbabsqy.jpg

http://www.marthasheirlooms.com/images/Cwyoke.jpg

http://www.marthasheirlooms.com/images/Cwprinc.jpg

Gardening season coming to an end

Right now outside it is a little chilly, but nice out, for the first time in days. It seems as soon as fall hit, it has been nothing but rain and more rain, which is actually the reverse of what my garden needs currently. My tomatoes are over watered, which means they split and are not good to eat (I would eat them if it weren't for bugs...).

A few weeks ago is when I decided I needed to start harvesting. I got out my dehydrator and started on my long list of things I grew so I could have them during the winter. My dehydrator is working overtime. I have dehydrated lemon verbena, raspberry leaves, chocolate mint, spearmint, and oregano. Stevia is in their right now. Then there will be thyme, sage, purple basil, cilantro, kale, and rosemary. Yes, I really said kale. I researched it since we have so much of it. We use it for soup anyway, so it will just rehydrate when we add it to the soup! I am leaving the kale out as long as I can also, since our praying mantis family has had it as their house all summer long.

I have learned a lot from my garden. I planted a little bit of everything this year, just so I could see what works and what doesn't.

We will start with what doesn't work. I will not be planting the following anytime in the next few years, but I can't say never, since  I may try them again down the line. Potatoes - never grew, corn - fell over from rain and wind, cauliflower - never produced anything except big green leaves, zucchini - produced a few tiny fruit, then they rotted after a huge rain, acorn squash - lots of vines, no fruit, spaghetti squash - lots of vines, only 1 fruit, borage - not good to consume while pregnant or nursing (oops!), lemon verbena - grown for herbal tea, but not seeing me use it very much, pumpkin - heavy vines with no fruit, watermelon - produced 2 fruit, one split after days of rain and the other is still out there, and radish - I had lots of tops but no roots, so the rabbits got lots of this.

What I definitely will be replanting next year are purple basil, cilantro, stevia, snow peas, sweet peas, snap peas, green beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, lettuce, medium hot peppers, jalapeno peppers, mini red bell peppers, marigolds, nasturtiums, tomatoes, carrots, kale, and spinach.
I am hoping to put the basil and stevia in their own pots next year so they can have more sun and room to branch out.

Some plants didn't really have a chance, either because I unintentionally killed them or bought the seed late (because the seed company I originally bought them from never sent them) and planted out too late are ground cherry, rhubarb, yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, loofah, fennel, lavender, and beets. These will be top priority to research and buy seed this winter, so I give them a fair chance to be in my garden hopefully every year.

The things I will never have to replant as long as I take care of them are golden raspberries, black berries, asparagus, garlic, shallots, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, chocolate mint, and spearmint.

The compost that was started last year is finally a wonderful rich black soil, so we are planning on tilling it in the soil before winter and then our current compost pile will take a year rest as soon as all the fall leaves are put on top of it.

Yes, it is a lot of work to have a garden, but you know exactly what went in to it, unlike buying produce at the grocer.

Check out my current garden and compost pictures.

Making my own... EVERYTHING!

I am truly amazed what I have learned this year alone. I have taught myself more techniques in sewing, gardening, canning, cooking, baking, and crocheting than I would have ever dreamed. I have also learned how to make my own vanilla extract, soap and lotion.

I have been researching even more about other toiletry products and am excited to now teach myself how to make peppermint extract, toothpaste, sunscreen, massage oils, and deodorant. I am also just discovering all the wonderful things you can do with coconut oil and also bentonite clay.

Bentonite clay in an amazing and versatile powder.

Here is what I found in my research so far.

For a clay mask:  Using glass, pottery or wooden container, (do not use metals) combine bentonite with sufficient liquid to make a pasty gel. Let it sit 2 or 3 minutes. Using fingertips, spread a consistent layer to fully cover the skin ( avoid getting clay in mouth, eyes, ears, nose.) Sit, if possible, and relax, think some healing thoughts, and allow the clay to become dry. (4 min. for more sensitive skin and 10-12 minutes for normal skin.) As it tightens, it is working and removing impurities. Wash thoroughly and gently to remove the masque. Follow with a natural toner and moisturizer.
Alternatives to water in the clay masque-paste are almost endless: apple cider vinegar, essential oil waters (just a drop or two), herb tisanes (peppermint, chamomile, comfrey, calendula, ginger, lavender, etc.) Powdered herbs can be added to the clay before mixing (marshmallow, orange peel powder, slippery elm bark.

Clay facial masques, poultices, and baths remove toxins directly through the skin (the largest organ of elimination of the human body.)

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Taken internally, Bentonite can absorb pathogens, viruses, mold, pesticides, herbicides,remove radioactive residues and more. Bentonite’s drawing properties and ease of elimination facilitate the removal of intestinal toxins. Deep cleansing optimizes the body's natural healing abilities. Detoxification improves organ function and optimizes cell and tissue repair and provides resistance to infection.

Clay can help eliminate cysts, improves intestinal regularity, relieve chronic constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and ulcers. remove parasites removal from the intestines, provide allergy relief, and provide a positive effect on skin problems and anemia and acne. It reduces heartburn and indigestion by absorbing excess stomach acids.

Bentonite clay, alone or mixed with herb powders, can be applied as a paste for use on sprains, bruises, plant rashes (poison oak, ivy, stinging nettles), and on insect bites.

For splinters, tiny embedded plant objects, pimples, boils, etc., mix a teaspoon bentonite clay with enough water to make a thick paste. Spread on affected area and bandage overnight.
_________

I am planning on using the clay in the deodorant I am planning on making and as a facial mask. If you do use it internally, you must make sure it says for internal use. There are 2 different kinds out there, but have not researched much into that area yet.

I also wanted to point out that I research every ingredient before I use them. If you are pregnant and/or nursing, please research essential oils especially to make sure they are safe to use around you and your children.

Favorite fabrics

Well, to follow up on my favorite patterns, I need to let everyone know where I purchase my favorite fabrics.

Of course, most of the time, I shop at Jo Ann Fabrics because of the coupons and homeschooler's discount and other awesome sales they have. My favorites are the Calico fabrics.

The next place is eBay. You can find some awesome deals if you look hard enough. I did find a seller I like very much and she runs sales at her eBay store every few weeks. Her fabrics are quilting store qulaity, which means they are heavier and will last longer.

I also look at a few other websites. I have gotten a couple fabrics from Gehman's, a little more than I like to pay, but well worth the price.

There is also a fabric store I have been hearing about in Berlin, Ohio, Zinck's. Just looking at the website I get a headache though. It is just so much fabric piled so high. I can't imagine it taking under 3 hours to look through everything.

Favorite patterns

I thought I would write today about my favorite web based patterns. These 3 websites offer patterns on REAL paper, not the flimsy tissue stuff you can use maybe once from pattern makers such as Simplicity or McCall's.

First there is Amy Ringger. I bought dresses and skirts from her before I started teaching myself how to sew. She actually has made it quite easy for the beginner sewer to learn, especially with the prairie skirt pattern.
The patterns I have bought from her are the prairie skirt, peasant blouse, and the bloomers/pantaloons.
With the prairie skirt, it is very simple to add length to make it maternity. With the peasant blouse I have made a maternity shirt and nursing nightgown for me. Tabitha has 2 nightgowns also from this pattern. The bloomers/pantaloons pattern Tabitha has a pair of bloomers that make wearing dresses for a very active 5 year old a must. Grady hasn't been left out. I have made him 2 pair of night pants out of the b/p pattern, you just don't put elastic on the bottom hem and they are straight pants!

Second is Common Sense patterns. I just recently made the drawstring dress pattern into a maternity / nursing dress with very few alterations, but if you are not pregnant or nursing, the dresses without alteration would still be wonderful.

Finally, I have not had a chance to buy any patterns from King's Daughters yet, but they also have real printed paper patterns and I am hoping to eventually have most of my children's wardrobe made from these patterns. I especially like the dresses with the pinafores. The pinafores are like a apron and help to keep the under dress nice and stain free. I am planning on making the pinafores out of broadcloth so that if they get too stained they are very inexpensively replaced. The dresses I am planning on using calico and quilting weight fabrics to make them last. I also like that they have infant sizes also. The dresses are just adorable and I have never seen a pattern anywhere else that you can make cotton knit leggings which are unisex, so that baby's legs stay warm in cold weather.

I'm not saying that I haven't bought other patterns, I just prefer the heavy weight paper to the thin tissue that is sent in commercial patterns. I do have a pattern I am currently working on that has infant knit gowns and accessories from preemie to 18 months. I am slowly cutting out every size so that if we are blessed with more children, I can make any size gown in about 2 hours.

On a side note, I find that infants wearing gowns are the most convenient for all those diaper changes, especially if they are not crawling yet and more frequent diaper changes with cloth diapering.

Some may say it is too expensive to buy each pattern for every size, but that is where a little planning come in. I buy felt at Jo Ann Fabrics when it is 50%+ off and then (yes it takes a little more time) I start cutting out each pattern biggest to smallest, so that I have every size that pattern has at my disposal when ever I need it, basically forever. I don't have to worry about a wrinkled or ripped pattern. I also label every piece I cut so that if they ever get out of order I still know what it is. I also keep separate pattern pieces in Ziploc bags to keep them together along with the pattern instructions. In the long run, making felt pattern pieces will save you tons of money, especially if you use it quite a bit. Plus there are no pin holes to worry about either!

Lying to the children

It seems to be a weird and confusing fact that a lot of Christians seem to lie to their children.


First about all the holidays that grown-ups feel they need to "have a wonderful childhood" and "to create happy memories".

Then there is the fact about death. I keep coming across this in the Bible. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that when a person dies they go up to be with God, right then and there. It actually says that the dead are in a constant state of sleep, until the rapture occurs. I just don't get it. Children can handle the truth. So when the next child asks you why someone died, please tell them they are just in a very deep sleep and waiting for God to come back to get all of us to take us to heaven with him.

People also further the lie, that when someone is discouraged, they tell them that that dead person is looking down on them, so they feel comforted. That is an absolute lie, and if you really are Christian, wouldn't you want to be reasssured that God was looking down on them and that should be their source of comfort?

Please, let's stop all this lying to the children. I know we don't like it when they lie to us and God calls lying, deception.

Rice Soup and Wuddup n' Butter

If you come to my house and say the words "Rice Soup", my kids would go nuts and ask you where it is. I grew up eating what my kids call rice soup (not sure what we called it when I was growing up) and Wuddup n' Butter. I thought I would share with the world some really easy and yummy recipes that my kids and I think are awesome.

Rice Soup
It is basically a hot rice cereal, but we eat it any time of day.

2 cups of leftover white (or brown) rice
1 cup milk
3 tbsp (approx) of sugar - to taste
cinnamon
dried fruit (raisins, dried cherries, dried blueberries...)

Put the rice, milk, and sugar into a pan and heat until it is almost boiling. Put into bowls and sprinkle cinnamon and dried fruit on top. Stir thoroughly and serve. This makes 2-3 servings.

I actually like to put the dried fruit in the pan, but Tabitha isn't fond of it that way. I almost always make extra rice when we make Chinese so I can make this the morning after for breakfast.

Wuddup n' Butter
Not sure where the name really came from, but it's what my Grandpa George called it.

slices of bread
room temperature salted butter
karo syrup (the clear kind)
small bread plate or large ramekin
butter knife

Get a plate or ramekin and pour in some karo syrup. Put a pat or 2 of butter on top of the syrup (depending on how much karo you poured out - just eye it). Mix with butter knife. Now there are 2 ways of doing this. The neat way or the messy way. Grandpa always did the messy way. The neat way is to spread this on the bread and then eat. The messy way is to just dip the bread in and eat.

Yes, it's yummy, but no one ever said it is good for you, but neither is cake...

I hope all of you enjoy making these. I know I do

Mama Birth: The Natural Mama's Bucket List

Mama Birth: The Natural Mama's Bucket List

2 Corinthians 4

What I got out of this chapter first of all is that ministers of physical churches are using the word of God for their own benefit. They take passages and twist them, making people think that they are supposed to be giving their money to the church, which they are not. (See my blog post on tithing).

Also, Satan has blinded all unbelievers, which is why every time I write on my blog, I am persecuted. You have to be in Christ to understand what I am saying. Only Christ can open your eyes and ears, and he will only give you a little at a time, so you are not overwhelmed. If you are not in Christ, you are blinded and deaf. I am trying my hardest to help open the eyes and ears, so that others can know what they are supposed to be doing.

2 Corinthians 4:
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Long hair and anti-feminism

I have almost always had long hair. The only time I didn't was in 4th grade, when my Mom and family friend (hair dresser) convinced me that I should cut off all my hair just like theirs. That was the worst! My thick hair went into a frizzy mess and we even went to lengths to perm it! AHHHH!!!!

Anyway, where I am going with this is that if you are a Christian, you should have long hair, because it is God's glory.

1 Corinthians 11 says:

4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Also in 1 Corinthians it explains that women should not be the head of anything. It is absolutely terrible that people think it is OK that women are preachers in churches or that they are in charge over men.

1 Corinthians 11:
3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

14:
34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

Being a feminist is a sin. Women are to obey their husbands. There is a reason that God made men more intellectual and women are better suited for the home to be with the children that God blesses them with. Throughout the whole Bible, it speaks about this, yet people purposely ignore these verses, so that they can merrily go through life, doing whatever they want to.

I do my absolute best at obeying my husband. He always knows where I am going if I am out and we are honest with each other about our finances. I ask before I go shopping to make sure he is OK with what I am going to spend money on.

When you are married, you submit yourselves to your husband. That is the exact reason that I had the very old version of vows recited at our wedding. I knew that is what I was supposed to be doing; love, honor, obey, and cherish my husband.

Big savings!

I posted about this on my Facebook page and thought I should share this with the rest of the world.

. I have realized that by the simple acts of just breastfeeding and cloth diapering, I have saved over $10,000 in the past 6 years!

There is a laundry list of things this also includes besides just formula and diapers. There are diaper wipes, rash cream, extra trash bags, extra fees for trash pick up, training diapers, gas for late night runs to the store when you run out of something unexpectedly, bottles, artificial nipples, liners, bottle brushes, and pacifiers. 

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg!

 

We save even more than that by not going out to eat more than 1 time a month, growing and storing our own food, sewing our own clothes, making our own soap and household cleaning supplies, never buying clothing, household knicknacks, or fabric unless it is on clearance or without a coupon, treating our small illnesses at home homeopathically, not going to the doctor for "well visits" or even "sick visits" (why do you need a doctor to tell you your child is healthy? Why do you need a doctor to tell you that your runny nose and cough is a virus?), and just plain staying home. As Eric says, " You are a STAY AT HOME mom, not a go everywhere under the sun all day mom...".

 

I am planning on saving even more in the near future by never buying kleenex or paper towels again. I bought a bolt of unbleached muslin, on sale of course, from JoAnn Fabrics, and have slowly, between other projects, been making reusable paper towels and hankerchiefs with my serger. They are a cinch to make. You may be thinking that it makes more laundry, but it doesn't. Just thrown the hankerchiefs in with a load of whites and the papertowels in with a load of towels. I will tell you that I do air dry them so they don't shrink, but that is a cinch to do too! I bought a couple of these and have them hanging off the shelf brackets in the room off of our master bath. I air dry tons of things on them like swim suits, lingerie, wool socks, cloth diapers, and anything else cotton I don't want shrinking in the dryer. I have even taken the curtain off of the window and use the curtain rod to hang up my cotton skirts to dry by the sun and with help from the air conditioner vent as well. That does 2 things efficiently. Drying my laundry and adding moisture into our air.

 

All of these little things add up to big savings!

A REAL clean.

As of today I have made 7 batches of soap. I made some with and without fragrance, 1 batch of face soap, and 1 batch of shampoo. Yes, I know there are things in the store you can buy, but I have never found anything that doesn't dry me out and make me itch. Also, did you know that hardly anything that is sold as soap today is not really soap? It is detergent. All of the nice smelling body washes and hand liquids are detergent. If you read the label, you will not find (lye) sodium hydroxide on the label. Soap only needs 3 ingredients. An oil, some water, and lye.

Since I have been using my homemade soaps, I have not had any dry, cracked, or peeling skin, like I do when I use commercial "soaps". I also have not had to use any lotions, which are very bad for you too!
The shampoo bar has made my hair very soft. The face soap (complexion bar) made my skin very soft to touch and is not as oily as usual. The hand/body soap is so rich with bubbles that I started using it in the shower this week, along with my crocheted soap saver, and my skin is extra soft and my heels are, dare I say becoming less scratchy? I'm hoping this means that some day soon I will no longer have to file my heels to make them smooth.

The only downsides I see in making your own soap is the fact I have to be very careful with the lye, since it can cause chemical burns and then I have to wait for the soap to cure for 6 weeks.

I do feel like I am doing a science experiment every time I make soap, since I have to wear elbow length gloves, goggles and a face mask. I also only make soap when my husband is home and he takes the kids out of the house.

Now I totally understand why there are little handmade soap shops that people rave about, but could never afford. Making your own is so easy and if you find the right supplier for your oils and lye, very low cost as well.

The beginning of the end.

CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not read this post if you have a weak stomach, are an animal rights activist, or can't fathom where your food comes from, other than the grocery store.





This post is about my first attempt at dispatching a rabbit...

and how wrong it can go!

I have been arming myself since before we got our meat rabbits on how to humanely dispatch a rabbit, skin, and butcher a rabbit. I learned 90% of it from YouTube. I really was convinced that it was not going to be that hard to do. And I was somewhat right. Once Clover was dispatched it was all downhill from there. Getting to that point, well you could say that there was screeching, bashing, crying, shaking, sweat, and finally blood.

First the screeching. I was so careful not to hurt Clover while I put his hind feet in the rope harness I made. I slowly hung him upside down and calmed him just like the videos show, then everything went wrong! The poor rabbit never made a sound in his life that I know of until he started freaking out. I was so afraid someone was going to call the cops because of the racket, so I quickly picked up the piece of wood, my weapon of choice, and hit him where everyone said it was supposed to be an instant death. But no! Not for me, he just kept screaming! So I hit him 4, yes 4!, more times and it still didn't work. (After skinning him, I realized I was hitting his shoulder blades because there was a HUGE blood clot there). I didn't know what else to do, so I cut him down and saw he was definitely injured, so I couldn't just do this another night. I put him back in the pasture pen and ran to Eric. This is where the shaking and sweating come in. I begged him to come out and help me, so he got the kids preoccupied and came out. This is where the crying comes in. I just broke down. I knew as soon as it was dead I could handle it, but the dispatching is just too much for me. He tried hitting once also, with the same outcome, more (but mild) screeching. So we opted for the broom method and that took 2 tries, but the deed was finally accomplished. This is where the blood came in.

After this I re-tied him to the post, skinned, and gutted him. There was a lot more meat than I had imagined.

We decided to call it a night, since it took us an hour from start to finish for just 1. So, I put the other 2 back and they will just have to be dispatched tomorrow or Saturday.

I hope I haven't offended anyone and am truly sorry for hurting Clover, since that was not my intention. I was just supposed to make a quick hit and it was supposed to be all over.

Updates

I know I haven't been writing like I want to on my blog. Since summer has begun, I hardly find anytime to do anything I really want. My husband and children come first. Tabitha is doing really well with her school days. We try to get everything done before Grady wakes up, but that is not always possible. Grady is starting to learn numbers, letters and is picking up sign language that Tabitha is learning as her "foriegn language".

For the sign language, I use Signing Time. It give the kids "TV time" once a week while we are on the road to get our weekly milk. Otherwise they do not watch television. Childhood is so short, we feel they need to be using their time to run and play outside with each other (and make friends through the fence, to my dismay).

I am also busy getting our rabbits out for at least 2 hours at a time 2-3 times a day, and keeping their cage clean (every 2 days... 3 rabbits are messy). Since it is so hot lately, they seem to be out more after the sun goes down, because when I get them out during the day all they do is nibble and then plop on their sides and pant. I do sprinle the hose on them sometimes, but they are not too fond of that, though they like running in the sprinkler with the kids.

I am also trying to sew here and there, make soap, crochet, garden, and research more homesteading things, while keeping up with the house chores and making from scratch meals. I am really wondering how wives did everything in the old days, because at the end of they day I am truly worn out. I am blessed when Eric is home on the weekends and helps me out so much, especially with the baking.

Eric seems to love baking and cooking, though I do too, it is he that has inspired me to work on this area. Every weekend we seem to experiment with some new recipe. In the past few months we have made spaghetti, fettucini, and many types of bread.

My newest interest is learning loom sock making. I purchased a loom a couple days ago from Jo-Ann Fabrics (yes, with coupons and discounts, lol - I NEVER buy anything retail, if you know me.) and a ball of sock wool. I have started and gotten 2 rows done, not a lot, but a start. I found wool made in Maine , on Ebay, that I will be making Eric socks from for this winter to help keep him warm and dry, while he goes in and out of houses, making everyones bathroom truly "Luxury".

I have been reading my Bible still every weekday morning. I have a lot of things I would love to write about, but that seems to be on my HUGE to-do list. I keep making note in my notebook, so if I ever get a day to just write and write, I'm sure I'll have many comments left on my Facebook page on that day.

I used to write on my blog after everyone went to bed, but my husband has other plans and expects everyone in the family to go to bed at the same time now, so I am hardly on the computer anymore, except when Grady is taking his afternoon nap on me.

I am truly blessed that I am allowed to stay at home with my children and my husband allows me to dabble in this and that to broaden my horizons.

Our Anniversary

Here are some tidbits that some people know about Eric and me and some no one knew.

1. If it wasn't for Brian Auble, Eric and I would have probably never met.

2. Eric took me to my Senior homecoming and prom.

3. Eric traveled 8 hours each way to see me every other month when we first started dating.



4. Our first date meal was at Taco Bell.

5. We celebrate our anniversary on July 7, but legally it is on the 17th, through miscommunication and oopses on the day of our wedding.

Grady tidbits

Well, my little boy is going to be 2 years old this week. I don't have a baby anymore. I am becoming more and more emotional about it as the days go by. I did this with Tabitha too though.

Grady no longer needs me to get him to sleep. He has gone to sleep with Eric 3 times this week. My lap feels very empty right now. At least I know he will come running to me every morning for at least a little while longer for a quick nursing to fully wake up and start his day. I also am blessed that I get to sleep beside him still. I'm not in any hurry to put him in his own section of our family bedroom just yet.

I tried to find the perfect "flair" on Facebook that said that I've been nursing for 5 years, 1 month and 4 days straight, but all I could find was up to 2 years, so that is what I posted, since it pertains to Grady right now anyway.

Ok, so on with the 2 little tidbits that I could think of.

1. Grady had 3 visitors within hours of his birth. I think people couldn't believe that we really had a homebirth and expected to see something out of a gory movie when they came over.

2. Grady likes to dress up and wear "pretty" stuff. Can you blame him? He hangs around momma and Tabitha all day long. But at the end of the day, he is definitely all boy, he is running around the house and getting bruises and rough housing. He also like to hit EVERYTHING with his plastic baseball bat.

Homeschooling

  As of yesterday, our homeschooling adventure has officially begun. No, I am not forcing Tabitha to do anything. She has been begging me for a couple weeks now to start "Kindergarten". Yesterday I finally said to myself, "Why am I denying her to learn just because the calendar says it's summer?"

  Tabitha was so thrilled that I told her we would start yesterday and was anxiously waiting for me to gather her books, ereader, and my (unfinished) scheduler. As I sat down she was literally bouncing with excitement. I thought, how I wished that I had been that excited to learn when we were FORCED to.

She started out reading Psalm 100 from the Bible. I was so happy with the way she read. She only had to have help with 2 words. Next, I let her turn on her ereader, which has most of the books on it from either Dollar Homeschooling cds or free books that recommended at Ambleside Online. I did still have to purchace a few books, but I am very confident that I have found the right mix for my family, instead of having to buy those ridiculously expensive prepackaged curriculums that you see today.

Any way, we started with McGuffey's Primer on the ereader. I just let her go at her own pace, but I had to stop her at page 10, I was afraid she would have actually read the entire book if I hadn't. We then moved on to Ray's Math and did 2 pages. Then came the real books. I read 1 chapter from A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh to her and a poem out of The Real Mother Goose.

I know that AO recommends a foriegn language, but I figured I can start that in a year or two. For now Tabitha and Grady are learning ASL (American Sign Language). So, I had her review signing numbers 1-20, since she just learned those last week.

It is just amazing what I am learning along with my children through this whole experience. As I learn more about gardening, raising rabbits, and other self sustaining ways of life, so are my children. I really don't understand why we were not taught these things when we were in school instead of the dumbed down repetitive junk that we really have no use for as adults.

As Tabitha progresses into a routine, I will be introducing a Fine Arts study, handicrafts (crocheting or sewing), and a musical instrument (piano or recorder).

I am sure that I will keep everyone updated when Tabitha starts something new and astounds me again.

Being a "Homesteader"

I just found out that our family as a title last week while doing some research before getting our meat rabbits. We are homesteaders. Since we drink raw milk and have made butter, yogurt, and kefir.  We eat fresh pastured eggs, I have garden, and have 3 NZ rabbits for meat raising.  I also sew, make stock, and can different foods.

I am now interested in soap making so that my family can get away for all of those harmful chemicals and preservatives in commercial soaps. It looks very easy. Eric is going to make a block mold for me and hopefully I can get started in the next few weeks. I will be making a basic bar and 2 different shampoo bars.

I will try to keep the blog updated and give the recipes if they turn out wonderful.

Mother's Day

I know this post is a little late, but here I go...

My cousin Dustin posted this as his status today on Facebook, "In my opinion Mother's Day is like Valentine's Day, they both deserve a day of recognition. Although, I don't need a day to tell me to treat my mom or girlfriend extra special. I do that 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.".


I was quite happy that I am finding others that feel this way. Why is it that we need a reminder that once a year that we HAVE to treat our mothers to something special. If they don't get something on this day from each of their children, they feel something is wrong. I feel something is wrong if you feel obligated to buy your Mom a piece of junk or flowers just because the calendar says so. This particular day has only really been around a very short time.

Eric and I found it quite ridiculous last night, while getting a few things at Wal-Mart, that at 10pm the lines were jam packed with people who waited last minute to buy something for their mother. Flowers, cards and other misc junk were being purchased so that they could say they at least got "something for Mom".

While I didn't mind getting a few people from Facebook and my neighbors saying "Happy Mother's Day" to me today. It just made it more concrete that it is ingrained into our brains that it is just something that is supposed to be said on this day, whether heartfelt or not.

Our old fashioned house

It is truly amazing to me how far Eric and I have come just the past couple of years. When we were both working, we rarely had time to eat out, let alone eat something cooked at home. Now, we buy basic staples at BJ's, like flour, eggs, yeast, white and brown sugar, fruits and vegetables. We purchase our milk and beef (and soon our eggs) from the Simon Certified Organic Family Farm. We occasionally get chickens from them also, but they have been scarce. We also bought a tub of lard from a pig farm that was at the Canton Farmer's Market.

We make from scratch our breads, pie crust, cookies, granola (regular & chocolate), bagels, english muffins, cakes, icings, doughnuts, fudge, sauces, pancakes (regular & blueberry), waffles and pizza dough.

For the breads, we do have a few favorites. I like making Avanti's bread, Eric makes Subway loaves (he bought the mold for them), cinnamon raisin bread and then just regular old sandwich bread.

We have been canning our own chicken and beef stock. There has also been applesauce and pear sauce.     I am hoping to can many vegetables out of my garden this summer too, such as peas, green beans, peppers, and tomatoes.

We do not buy premade chicken nuggets or fries. Eric makes them as needed. I cannot believe all of the additives they have in even the frozen premade foods.

The kids and I have not been to a fast food place in over 6 months. We have only been eating out 1 time a month, mostly at chain restaraunts, but that is soon to change also.

My next task is to start making our own pasta. Homemade pasta has a taste that you just can't get out of a cardboard box. I remember my Grandma making pasta and I would sit there crunching away on the freshly dried pasta (yes, it was that good).

I will update when we finally have our new pasta maker. I am currently bidding on it on E-Bay.

Tidbits 1

I told you I would have tidbits of info for the coming events in our life.

In a few short weeks, Tabitha will be 5. So here are her tidbits...

1. Tabitha's first word was "kitty".

2. The majority of her diet from age 14 months to about 30 months was yogurt and mozzerella cheese sticks.
She did eat other things, but those were the 2 things we HAD to keep stocked in our refridgerator.

3. She learned to read over an 18 month period just recently. Eric and I can no longer spell things to each other, she will sound them out in her head and repeat it to us. We also can not allow her to be around us when we are on the internet, especially because of some of the comments that are posted on Facebook and other misc sites that are not child friendly.

Time is passing

It is so hard to believe that it is actually the year 2011. That means that Eric and I have known each other for 13 years, will be married for 10 years, Eric and I are "in our 30's!!!", Tabitha will be 5, and Grady will be 2.


Where does the time go?

I am going to try and scan all of our wedding pictures so I can post them on Facebook on our anniversary.

I am going to try and blog little tidbits about events past as the above events come to pass.

The first tidbit is - It's all Brian Auble's fault (not really, but lol).

Jeremiah 8

As I sat out on our swing outside, reading my Bible, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the warm weather we had today. I came across another passage.

Jeremiah 8

12Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
13And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;

14But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:

It seems to me that this is referring to much of what I write, about the holidays that most "Christians" celebrate. People are only celebrating these holidays because they were brought up celebrating them, instead of finding their own way and seeking out what the truth is.

If you do not seek your own answers, you will never have the truth.

This actually applies in many areas in life. I have found more truth in the past couple of years on the subjects of childbirth, breastfeeding, homeschooling, cooking/gardening... It's amazing how many lies you come across when you only take someone's word for something. Reading the Bible, seeking a relationship with God, and research is the key to a healthy and joyful life.

Another holiday...

Well, here we are again, at another holiday. One that Christians should not be celebrating.


First and most importantly because it is a pagan holiday. I know most people say that they celebrate it because of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, but did anyone stop to realize that we are not commanded to celebrate any "holidays", except for the ones that are commanded by God in the Bible?

Exodus 12:12-14

12For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

14And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Exodus 12:17

And ye shall observe [the feast of] unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.


With a lot of research, I have learned that the physical church incorporated pagan holidays to attract pagans to go to church, but twisted them a little to make them seem "Christian". Churches embraced this deception and still do today for the same results. In the end it is all about the money.

Second, it takes away from the holy feasts that God did command us to keep, Passover, First Fruits, and Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Here is a chapter in the Bible that directly talks about God being furious, that people were celebrating Easter, instead of Passover and Unleavened Bread.

I have added my comments after the verses that I felt needed explanation.

Jeremiah 7

1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2Stand in the gate of the LORD's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

3Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

4Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.

- Physical churches are not the temples of God, our bodies are.

5For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;

6If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

7Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.

8Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

- Physical churches will lie to your face.

9Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

10And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?

- Jesus is our church. Physical churches are only there for a feeling of socialization. Many people who attend churches are blasphemers and hypocrites.

11Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.

-Physical churches that claim to teach God's word are nothing but robbers. Stealing money to go into their own pockets and/ or pay off huge debts run up by the "officials" of the physical churches.

12But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.

13And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

-God is speaking of opening the ears and eyes, which he repeatedly says over and over throughout the Bible, but you must be walking with him daily, getting to know him first before he starts revealing things to you.

14Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.

15And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim.

- If we do not change our ways, we will not be allowed into heaven.

16Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.

- God will not hear you and form a relationship with you if you do not keep God's laws.

17Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

18The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

-This verse is specifically talking about the people celebrating Easter. The "queen of heaven" 's name is Ishtar (pronounced Easter) / Ashtoreth / Astarte (she is mentioned in 1 Kings 11:5). The greek goddess' story has everything to do with eggs, sunrise worship (yes, I'm talking about how churches have a sunrise service), and even hot cross buns.

19Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

- Until God opens your eyes and ears, you are ignorant to what he wants, and you follow sin, which makes God angry. You have to ask God to give you wisdom to open your eyes and ears to be able to start doing what God wants. Everything in the Bible is not physical/mental, it is spiritual, which is why you cannot try to find meanings (you will become confused, which is why there are so many physical churches out there), unless you are personally walking with God.

20Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.

- God is furious at the people, since they are worshipping idols and gods.

21Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.

22For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

23But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

- Do as God asks and he will be pleased.

24But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

25Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:

26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.

- Notice that God is talking about not hearing again.

27Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.

28But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

29Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.

- Cutting your hair is a sin if you are a woman. God gave it as a glory to him. (1 Corinthians 11:15)

30For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.

31And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.

- I believe this verse is talking about cremation. (I know it's off topic, but still...) It is also referring to the fact that people would sacrifice their children to their gods, which is absolutely a direct sin against God, since children are blessings given to us.

32Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

33And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.

34Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

============

By the way, the holy days we are supposed to be remembering are (the months are according to the Hebrew calendar)

Passover (Nisan 14)

Unleavened Bread (Nisan 14 - 21)

First Fruits (Nisan 17)

Pentecost (You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath)

Trumpets (Tishri 1)

Day of Atonement (Tishri 10)

Feast of Tabernacles (Tishri 15)



If someone says that the feasts were given up when Christ died on the cross, they would be wrong, because these feasts were not the Moses Law, they were given to people by God. They are God's holy days.

Leviticus 23:44

And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.

**I have not yet researched the biblical months in depth, since I am still trying to wrap my brain around all that I am being shown while reading the Bible daily.

Gardening - The beginning of something great.

Well, a few of my blog friends already have been keeping up with my Facebook page about my garden.

I started my garden way back at the end October, planting garlic and shallots. As of today, they look great, with dark green tops bursting out of the ground. I also started yukon potatoes, but there is no sign of life that I see just yet.

In January, I started indoor planting blueberry seeds. (They never sprouted, just molded... great start huh?) In February, I started my spinach and was pleasantly surprised to see sprouts in just a few days. http://weddellhappenings.tumblr.com/post/3771784916/starting-the-garden

March is when my garden really started, and my counter space was limited. I planted the peas, brussel sprouts, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes, rhubarb, ground cherry, basil, parsley, dill and onions.  http://weddellhappenings.tumblr.com/post/3922121928/windowsill-starter-garden-update-they-are-growing .  Yes, it seems like a lot to do when it is still cold out, but I will be enjoying an early harvest, while some people who wait for the frost will be seeing little plants in their gardens.

The past couple of days have been wonderful around here with all of the warm weather, so I put all of my peas, onions, green beans, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts in the ground. Eric also helped me build and put up the pea trellises and tomato stakes. http://weddellhappenings.tumblr.com/post/4480972691/garden-update

I am now praying that since they are cold weather vegetables, and I had our farm friends tell me, that they will continue to grow even if it decides to snow one last time.

I'll keep updating as I plant more. I am so looking forward to a wonderful harvest. (Yes, already)

Blog description

My blog started out as a public diary. It was meant to let everyone get a glimpse of our everyday lives. In the past 4 months, everything seems to be changing, since I have started reading the Bible daily and growing closer to God.

I still update on our lives, but it is no longer a pity party for me, since that's what is seemed like for a few weeks. I have said things that I needed to get out in the open and off my chest, so that I can move forward and not look back.
Now I am writing about what God lays in my heart, not to say that I won't still update on our daily lives. I read something in the Bible and it peaks my interest, so I research it. I don't go to just 1 website and quote what they say. I read every one's opinions and come to my own conclusions.

God has given me the ability to make my voice known through my blog, since most of you know that I often get too flustered to speak and give opinions person to person. Also, it seems that when I read things on the internet that are false, I get very emotionally upset and start trembling, that people are not seeing what God has shown me in his Word.

I am so very blessed to have people actually reading my blog. I hope that this continues. I found it very interesting, and truly amazing that I have had readers from Netherlands, Slovenia, Canada, China, United Kingdom, Denmark, Belarus, France, and India according to my status page. I would love to have people comment on my blog when they read it, so that I can get to know all of my readers.

Trusting doctors

Why is it that people put so much faith in doctors, when they should be looking to God? I really don't understand when people rush to the doctor for every little thing, and actually believe that they know what they are talking about.
Yes, doctors go to school for a long time, but they don't know everything. That is why it is called a medical PRACTICE. They are practicing on people, hoping that some day they will get it right. Well, let me tell you, they never will.
Most doctors know nothing about natural healing and natural child birth. They are trained to look for something bad, even if it means running thousands of tests.
In the Bible it even says that doctors are worthless. God is the Great Physician.

Look at the story of the woman with a blood issue... http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%205:25-34&version=KJV  ...verse 26 is the key.

I found this eye opening tidbit on another site while I was researching the verses above,

Is there ANY use for present-day doctors?


There are three different categories of medical problems: 1) Trauma,
2) Congenital Deformities, and 3) Disease.

God’s Promise is to “Heal ALL our DISEASES.” Psalm 103:3. The text says nothing about Trauma or Congenital deformities.
Trauma means “injury” such as when one breaks a leg, or is in a motor vehicle accident, or is the victim of a gunshot wound. Jesus had Trauma. He was beaten before He was crucified and He was injured when a crown of thorns was placed on His head. This is NOT “Disease.”

Trauma is NOT caused by the way one eats, lives, and handles stress. Trauma needs to be treated and repaired surgically by a Trauma Surgeon.

Congenital Deformities or Congenital Anomalies are in the category of Birth Defects. A child may be born with a cleft palate, or an extra digit, or a club foot, or some other anomaly. These are NOT caused by the way the child has been living, eating, and handling stress – although, in certain instances, it MAY have been caused by the way the mother was eating, living, and handling stress while she was pregnant.

This is NOT “Disease.” Congenital Deformities need to be surgically corrected by an appropriately trained Surgeon.

Diseases ARE CAUSED by the way we live, eat, and handle stress. In order to get well, we must CHANGE the way we live, eat and handle stress. We must follow GOD’S way, and NOT the ways of “man” – the ways of doctors! (For more information, see www.drday.com)

Doctors learn only TWO methods of treatment: 1) Give DRUGS, to cover up the symptoms by Poisoning or Burning the patient, or 2) Take out – or cut off – the “problem” organ by mutilating surgery.

Drugs never solve the underlying problem. They only “treat” symptoms, and they ALL have side effects. Drugs only change the form or location of the disease, they NEVER cure the disease. That is why, in many instances, the doctor will tell you that you have to be ON the drugs for the rest of your life.

God tells us in Revelation 18:23 that He abhors the use of drugs, because when a person is sick, and has symptoms, it is supposed to be a Red Flag warning to Turn to the Lord for the answers. Something is wrong with the life of the person who is sick, and ONLY the Lord’s Plan can make the person well.

Only GOD can show us how to live, how to eat, how to think and act, and how to handle stress. “Man’s” ways – the ways of “science and medicine” NEVER work in the long run. They may make a person FEEL better temporarily, they may temporarily appear to “shrink” a tumor, but they NEVER work to REVERSE the underlying disease, because NO doctor can address the problem of the “heart.”

THAT is God’s domain. Only God can reach down into your heart, and open up for you the things you need to CHANGE in your life, who you need to forgive, how to love your enemies, how to get the selfishness out of your life. THAT is where DISEASES begin, and NO doctor can touch that area.

God did not give us an extra supply of organs. And organ donations are certainly NOT God’s way.
God tells us that those who give out Drug Medications are an “Abomination to the Lord” and that the WHOLE WORLD will be DECEIVED by their “sorceries.”

“. . . for by thy sorceries were ALL NATIONS deceived.” Revelation 18:23

The word “sorceries” in this text, is the word pharmakeia in the Greek – pharmacy - DRUGS - in English.

The WHOLE WORLD will be deceived by the DRUG medications prescribed by doctors. God defines them as Sorceries and Witchcraft. Because Drug medications are essentially the same as street drugs. They are given to make a patient FEEL better, or to make the lab test numbers LOOK better, but they are only a temporary “Quick Fix.” They NEVER solve the underlying problem, - the actual CAUSE of the disease, which always begins in the “heart” because we want to live, eat, and handle stress OUR way, rather than GOD’S way.

The English words sorceries and witchcraft are the numbers 3784 and 3785 in Strong’s concordance. These words are found in: Exodus 7:11, 2 Kings 9:22,2 Chronicles 33:6Jeremiah 27:9, Daniel 2:2, Malachi 3:5, Isaiah 47:9,12, Micah 5:12, Nahum 3:4.

The equivalent words in the Greek – sorceries, and witchcraft – are numbers 5331 and 5332 in Strong’s Concordance, as found in Galatians 5:20, Revelation 9:21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15.

That Greek word is pharmakeia, or pharmacy – drug medications – Sorceries and witchcraft, according to the Bible.

The Bible terms drug medications, prescribed by doctors, as Sorceries and Witchcraft – because disease is a Spiritual problem. It begins in the “heart” – in the attitudes and disposition because we want to live, eat and handle stress our OWN way, rather than learning to trust God.

So ANYTHING – including doctor-prescribed drug medications – that pulls us away from God and HIS wisdom - and towards the world and so-called “worldly wisdom” is anti-Christ. God says, “The wisdom of man is foolishness with God.”

Those who prescribe drug medications – doctors, pharmacologists, and pharmacists, are termed witches and sorcerers and poisoners (pharmakos) in the Bible. God is so much against drug medications, because they lead people away from Him, that in the Old Testament, God told Israel:

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch (#3784) to live.” Exodus 22:18 (According to the Bible, a witch is one who dispenses drug medications.)

“There shall not be found among you anyone that makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch (#3784),

“Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer

“For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.” Deuteronomy 18:10-12

It is not surprising to see that the Greek root “Phar. . .” is in all of the following words that are associated with the enemies of God and Christ:

Strong’s Concordance number:
#5328 – Pharoah – enslaved and tried to destroy the Israelites, the followers of God.
#5329 – Pharisees – those who murdered Christ
#5331 – Pharmakeia – drug medications – sorceries, also often kill those who
take them
#5332 – Pharmakeus – one who drugs or poisons people – druggist (and
physicians who give out drugs. Actual definition – poisoner or sorcerer
– one who poisons or kills.
#5333 – Pharmakos – the same as #5332

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I do want to say that I believe congenital deformities are a direct result of disobeying God. I will leave that topic at that.

I am personally ashamed that I did not realize any of this before Tabitha was born, but thankfully, God showed me in my research while I was pregnant, and even before when I was in school and worked in the doctor/hospital setting, that God made us healthy already. We do not need vaccinations and drugs to keep us healthy. All we need is our God given ability to nurse our children, which gives them antibodies and to eat the fresh wholesome foods that God taught us to grow. We also have herbs that we can grow that help with symptoms, that will not harm us, since they are given to us by God, while we figure out what area in our life needs work.

I am also kicking myself for going to the hospital a couple months ago. The only result was major frustration and a huge bill, that could have paid for something else we truly needed. I should have listened to my heart and not my head. God was telling my heart not to go...

I know our family still has a way to go to being fully sustainable, but we are taking baby steps, so we don't overwhelm ourselves.

The reason I was in the medical field in the first place was because of my Grandmother. I was going to grow up and be a nurse, so I could take care of her. I went through a medical academy during high school and even became a nursing assistant and worked in the children's hospital during my senior year. I went to medical assisting (more training, less pay) college after I moved to Ohio. Grandma died 2 months before I graduated. I kind of lost why I chose that profession after that, but I took a job in a pediatrician's office and was shown so many cruel and horrible things while there. God gave me an out and I took it 3 years later. Knowing what I know now, my children will not set foot in a doctor's office again.
Getting back to my grandma, I now understand now why she was so sick ever since I can remember. She was not right with the Lord. Grandma and Grandpa were active in the Mohamed Shrine Temple, all the while touting that they were Christians. The same thing followed my grandpa and father.

Here is also an interesting tidbit on the symbol of medicine:

Caduceus, symbolic staff surmounted by two wings and entwined with two snakes. Among the ancient Greeks the caduceus was carried by heralds and ambassadors as a badge of office and a mark of personal inviolability, because it was the symbol of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. According to Book IV of Virgil's Aeneid, the Greek god Apollo gave the staff to Hermes in return for the lyre. In Roman mythology the symbol is associated with the god Mercury. The staff of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing, which was entwined by a single snake, was also called a caduceus. The caduceus has been adopted as a symbol by the medical profession; it is also the emblem of the medical branches of the United States Army and Navy.
The snake and staff in the center of the symbol portray the staff Asclepius who, according to Greek mythology, was the son of Apollo (god of light, truth and prophecy). Supposedly Asclepius learned the art of healing from the centaur Cheron; but Zeus - king of the gods, was fearful that because of the Asclepius knowledge, all men might be rendered immortal. Rather than have this occur, Zeus slew Asclepius with a thunderbolt. Later, Asclepius was worshiped as a god and people slept in his temples, as it was rumored that he affected cures of prescribed remedies to the sick during their dreams.

Asclepius was usually shown in a standing position, dressed in a long cloak, holding a staff with a serpent coiled around it. The staff has since come to represent medicine's only symbol. In the Caduceus, used by physicians and the Military Medical Corp., the staff is winged and has two serpents intertwined. Even though this does not hold any medical relevance in origin, it represents the magic wand of the Greek deity, Hermes, messenger of the gods.
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Either you will run to the world or doctors to save yourself or you will run to God for saving. You cannot have it both ways and expect it to be pleasing to God.

Breastfeeding

I read an article (here) http://birthbliss.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/the-breast-crawl/. It is no wonder that there is such a lack of mothers nursing their babies today. The video is amazing. I am going to have to try that, if I am blessed to have another baby, next time.

It seems as though it depends on the type of delivery you have, in how successful you are at nursing. The more the drugs, the less you can expect to nurse your baby. I'm sure there are some exceptions, if you are really determined, but it will be a big challenge.

Law #1: Babies are hardwired to breastfeed


Mothers often think breastfeeding is something they do to their babies. Actually, breastfeeding works best when babies and mothers are active partners. At birth babies have reflexes that cause them to instinctively push themselves up to the breast and latch on without any help at all. Just like all newborn mammals, our babies are born with the skills they need to feed. And the more their inborn hardwiring is understood and used, the more smoothly breastfeeding tends to go.

Law #2: Mother’s body is baby’s natural habitat

Mothers often wonder why newborns get so upset when they are set down. What moms don’t realize is that babies instinctually react this way. When newborn mammals are left alone, their survival instinct kicks in and they react in a way to bring mom back. Human babies have a similar response; when left alone they instinctually “know” that they must be re-united with their mothers. So they cry and protest. Their little bodies release stress hormones, which shuts down digestion and growth. In contrast, when they are with their mothers, they relax, allowing their bodies to grow. Touching and holding promotes healthy relationships and normal growth. When babies are not touched or held, they have physical and emotional problems, often for the rest of their lives.

Law #3: Better feel and flow happen in the comfort zone

Many mothers believe that painful cracked and bleeding nipples are a normal part of breastfeeding. Thank goodness this is not true! Nipple trauma often means that the baby needs to take the breast deeper into his mouth. When the baby is latched on well and the nipple is in the baby’s “comfort zone” (near where the roof of the mouth turns from hard to soft) breastfeeding should not hurt. When a mother is in pain, most likely all she needs are some minor adjustments to make breastfeeding comfortable (see www.BreastfeedingMadeSimple.com for more).

Law #4: More breastfeeding at first means more milk later

In the first few days after birth, a mother’s body is fully capable of providing everything her baby needs. Her first milk—colostrum—is available in just the right amounts. By breastfeeding long and often in the first weeks, a baby sets her mother’s milk supply for now and for later. Giving formula during this time decreases a mother’s milk supply and puts a baby at risk for later health problems.

Law #5: Every breastfeeding couple has its own rhythm

Mothers often wonder whether it’s best to feed their babies on demand or on a schedule. One factor they rarely mention, though, is the size of their babies’ stomachs. At first, a baby’s stomach is as small as a marble. This means that babies need to feed often and it is unreasonable to expect them to follow a schedule in the early days. When babies grow and their stomachs can hold more milk, they will often have more regular feeding patterns. When babies’ feeding is rigidly scheduled, especially in the early weeks, they become stressed and they may stop gaining weight.

Law #6: More milk out equals more milk made

With the latest research, we have a clearer picture of what affects milk supply, and it’s not fluid intake, diet, or rest. One vital factor is the number of times per day that you drain your breasts. The more often and fully you drain your breasts, the more milk you produce. Another factor affecting milk supply is how much milk a mother’s breasts can comfortably hold, because drained breasts make milk faster and full breasts make milk slowly. Anyone who tells you that you need to let your breasts “fill up” before feeding has got it all wrong!

Law #7: Children wean naturally

When it is time to wean, many mothers are told to just stop breastfeeding, bind their breasts, and wait until the milk (and pain) is gone. But this is the most difficult weaning possible. What most mothers don’t know is that weaning doesn’t have to be traumatic. All children will eventually outgrow breastfeeding, even if you do nothing.

Choir nostalgia

I have been looking up differnet songs lately that I used to sing with my Teen Choir at church during high school. I think Al Denson's "Be the One" was one of my all time favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmq7dZ7OWZo&feature=related

I really do miss singing and performing in front of huge audiences/TV. It was such a wonderful experience.

Another song we did was:
Steven Curtis Chapman "Great Adventure" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVFPjIp6nkk

We didn't always do the "radio stuff", but those were the ones we seemed to enjoy the most. I will update the blog or post another if I remember anymore songs and can find them on YouTube.

Leviticus

There are many things going on in Leviticus. Lots of things God is telling Moses to tell the people of Israel so they can begin to have order and laws set up. Honestly, I was getting kind of bored reading the chapters, since I knew most of this really didn't pertained to us anymore, until I got to chapter 18. Chapter 18 started getting into the things that do still apply today and 19  kind of blew my mind away.

Leviticus 18 goes through sexuality. From incest, homosexuality, and even beastiality.

Leviticus 19 gets even deeper into what we should be doing.

• Keep the Sabbath. This website will show you that is indeed on "our" Saturday. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_calendar#Day
• Do not worship idols.
• Don't lie or swear.
• Don't steal.
• Be kind to everyone.
• Have thoroughbred cattle, pure seeds, and 1 thread garments. I started to think about how we are trying to be more organic and go back to our roots in how we live and eat. In our family now, we only eat pure bred cattle and I am only going to grow things for my garden from untreated, organic seed. I have been researching the 1 thread garments. I think it is saying not to mix any threads. Your clothes should be for instance 100% cotton. In another translation it also says not to mix linen and wool. It's interesting that when you mix linen and wool threads, they can combust... It also resembles the mixing of 2 different kinds of animals and/or plants, which is forbidden.
• Do not seek fortune tellers.
• Do not eat raw meat.
• Do not cut your hair or your beard.
• No tattoos.
• Show respect for the elderly.
• Be honest in dealing with money.

Leviticus 23 says we should be keeping the Biblical holy days (holidays).

• Passover
• Feast of Unleavened Bread
• First Fruits
• Feast of Trumpets
• Day of Atonement
• Feast of Tabernacles

Journey of a natural miscarriage, Part 2

My miscarriage finally ended on Wednesday, February 9 with the passing of the placenta. Yes, it really took a whole week to complete, and that is normal. As soon as the placenta passed my bleeding was almost nonexistent. I stopped bleeding on Sunday, February 13.

I did take pictures, so Eric could see, and he told me it eerily looked like a face.

We are both relieved that this is over and are patiently waiting for the next step.

Pride

Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18

I have been reminded of this verse quite a bit lately. As I sit here and ponder it, I ask myself. Why is it that the words pride or proud have become such a big thing in our vocabulary?

We often hear:
I am so proud of you.
Proud to be an American.
Army Strong, Army proud.


“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you.”
C.S. Lewis quote

Just a little food for thought...

My thoughts on makeup

Why do we as women feel the need to wear makeup? Is it so that we feel pretty? What does it REALLY do for us?

I know that everytime I wear makeup, which is about once a year, twice if there is a wedding, I feel like a clown. Nature does not make it so that we need makeup. I fwe are in the sun enough, we will naturally have rosy cheeks and a non pale complexion. If we drink enough water, we do not have to have the copious amounts of lip gloss and lip treatments out there on the market. Our lips are a natural shade of red that is perfect the owner of the lips. Since when have you ever seen a person with purple or blue eyelids, unless they have been punched in the face? Why do people think they need to outline thier eyes? It just makes some people look weird. Why do we feel the need to cover up dark circle under our eyes? For MOST people out there, if they would actually get the amount of rest needed for their body, they would go away.

Another problem with makeup is that is absurdly expensive. If people would realize that they do not need makeup, they would be able to pay off bills or afford better food that actually nourishes the body, instead of buying prepared junk food.

My last point is that, does anyone even realize what they put into makeup? I know a couple years ago, they finally realized some of the things that makeup was made of, were not good for us to put on our faces, yet there are products that are still make with things such as foramldehyde. Are we trying to embalm ourselves while still alive??

This is just a small take on my perspective of makeup. I could write much more on Eric's perspective, but to sum it up, I don't ever need to buy makeup ever in my lifetime.

A typical day

What is a typical day in our household? Everyone seems to think that I have all the time in the world to do what ever my heart desires, since I am always at home and only leave the house usually 2 times a week. Once to get our milk and MAYBE once more to go to the grocery store. On most weeks, Eric is the one to go grocery shopping since it is such a hassel to take the kids with us during the winter especially.

Keep in mind that we do not have a "normal" family's schedule, since we do not have to be anywhere, like everyone else in the outside world. Since Eric and I want to be able to see our children every moment we are awake, here is our daily schedule:

7:00am Eric gets up (sometimes Tabitha does too. She eats breakfast with him, then goes back to bed)

11:30am I get up with the kids.

12n The kids and I eat breakfast.

12:30p Nurse Grady, check emails/facebook. Make sure everyone has their water cup for the day.

1p Clean something (sweep/disinfect/scrub/wash) while kids play (scream and fight over toys...), get out something for dinner out of the freezer to start thawing (we cook all weekend, so I don't have to worry about it during the week)

2p We go upstairs to do a reading lesson with Tabitha

2:30p Kids play while I try to read my Bible, while getting interupted multiple times for fighting over toys and short nursing sessions

3:30p Eat a small lunch

4p Check emails / facebook before going back upstairs for the kids to play or read stories

5p Grady's naptime, I nurse him and hold him to make sure he gets a good nap, while I read/research/play on the computer. Tabitha either colors/reads/draws/goes on designated websites to stay quiet.

6/6:30p Eric gets home (most nights)and dinner is started.

7p Clean kitchen up, fix a desert

8p After Eric checks his emails we go back upstairs to either watch a little TV (no more than an hour) or play a video game and spend time together

10p Get started on readying for bed.

11p Kids get a before bed snack

12m Eric & Tabitha head to bed

1a Grady falls asleep nursing while I work on computer things.

3a I finally get to bed.

I figure that right now there is no reason for me to go to sleep at a decent hour. I need 9 hours of sleep not to be a grumpy mommy all day long and I need to sleep as long as the kids do, because if I get up before them, they hear me up and we all have a horribly crabby day.

On the weekends the kids and I keep our schedule while Eric has his alone time with either a movie or yucky game that the kids shouldn't be watching that he has been wanting to see/play. He usually starts the bread making too, so we don't get behind during the day.

All in all, I love my simple life. I never did like having to wake up when someone else told me to or be somewhere at specific times. It just creates a lot of stress for me.

Plain and simple is the way of our household.

Nursing a toddler

Tonight as I was checking on facebook what everyone is up to today, I came across this post. http://www.drmomma.org/2011/02/joy-of-nursing-toddlers-photo-gallery.html

It got me thinking. I posted a couple days ago that I appreciate my non-stop nurser more than ever now. Since my miscarriage I have been doing a lot of soul searching. I feel very guilty in giving in to peer pressure that was around me after Grady was born and I was still nursing Tabitha. I was told that she was "old enough not to do that now", among other things. The day that she turned 3 1/2 years old was the last day that I let her have "nini". I really regret that now. I had promised myself that I would let her self-wean, but others were getting in my sleep deprived brain.

I really enjoy nursing my children. It helps them over come bumps and bruises, as well as other obstacles of life. It also makes me, as a mother, to sit down and actually relax, so I don't get too involved in cleaning the house, etc. It makes me spend LOTS of time with my children, which is why I am staying home with them in the first place, right??

This time nursing my toddler helped me in a way that I had hoped would never happen. He helped my uterus clamp down and helped the bleeding to lessen during and after the miscarriage. It is amazing how our bodies are designed and how just the act of nursing a child helps us at times.

I fully intend to nurse Grady until he is done, which is probably not going to be anytime soon, since he still nurses on-demand every 2-3 hours. I don't know what I would do without my little man. He brings joy into our lives everyday.