Wood Stove Cooking

I have said it over and over, I want to learn to live off the land. I know that one of the luxuries I have to do without is gas. When you have a gas water heater and cook stove you really get to work a little harder without it. I have been living without gas now for months and I have got to the point of really missing it. I just thank God for the wood stove chain saw and wood splitter! Cooking on a wood stove is a lot harder than just throwing it on the gas stove. Taking baths takes a lot more than just turning on the hot water now. You get to heat the water on the woodstove and then take a bath. Every time I want to give in and I say please turn the gas back on I get reminded of how I want to live off the land. How there will not be a gas supply at the top of the mountain and if hard times really hit for everyone I will have an advantage with all the practice I get using a wood stove. Oh God help me be strong and not be a selfish lazy woman.

Under State of Emergency

We are officially iced in, yes the ice storm hit and now our county is under a State of Emergency. I wonder if leaving for vacation would be counted as an emergency? I need a vacation, and it is an emergency! Well a few more days wont hurt I guess. Gives me more time to pack.

Vacation in the Winter

I don't know about you but I am ready for a summer vacation, or should I say Winter vacation! This cold snow is about to freeze me out and we just started winter time. Either let me be a bear and hibernate or take me to the mountains so I can enjoy the beauty that would surround me or take me south like the geese so I can feel the sunshine beating down on me.

Snow on the ground

I look outside and I see a blanket of white beautiful snow. The way it sticks to the trees just displays God's beauty. Such a cold winter but at least it is pretty! The baby puppies are growing like weeds. The children started public school. No more home school except for homework. They seem to like it real well. Lots have changed around here since I wrote last but I will get caught up eventually on all the updates.

Mini Aussies Blue Merles

Our baby puppies are over a week old now. They are absolutely adorable. We had no idea what kind they were and the neighbor said those are called blue merles. In the next couple of days we will get some pictures up and let you see the adorable little pups!

Look Great Feel Great

Started reading a new book and hope it makes some difference in the way I live. I know if I could change my eating habits more than just quitting the fast food restaurants I would have to feel better. During the winter it is harder to go out and eat dandelions. So I am studying different ways to eat better and feel better because of it!

Another Birthday come and gone

Another year older and can't even tell it. I looked in the mirror and saw a few gray hairs on the top of my head so I won't be able to hide it much longer :) It's got up to 46 degrees here in southern Indiana and the leaves are falling off the trees. We got the wood stoves burning so we are nice and cozy in here. I went and got license plates for our van yesterday so we will be using the van pretty soon. I have not been able to make a car payment in about 3 months so looks like we are going to be loosing the car soon. I have decided I am not going to cry over it, I don't have to have the latest car that is released I should learn to live with what I got.

Preparing For Winter

Spent most of the day preparing for winter. We got three loads of wood. Got one load split and put on the front porch to keep dry. The weather was perfect! Just could use some rain. Our county is under a water warning and things are realy dry around here. My dad said he can see the frogs in the well so it must be almost empty!

Living each day to the fullest

With each day I must count my many blessings because you never know when it could be your last. I have been thinking about my sister and the good times we used to have. Growing up when we were small all the things we went through together, good and bad. We were friends forever! It's hard to believe she is gone but since I know she believed in Jesus I don't have to worry. Her famous words, "I love you more" stick in my mind. Thank you God for the time we got to spend together before she had to go. Praise you God that we can live forever with you in our hearts!

Sister passed away

After a long battle with cancer my sister Angie passed away. It will be hard to imagine Angie not being here with us after 39 years of life. Even though it is hard to see her go at such a young age I know she is not suffering any more. She is resting peacefully now. I miss you Angie.

July 1, 1971-Sept. 25, 2010

Wood Supply

We have been busy getting our wood supply for the winter and have been blessed by some friends to cut wood on their property. Today we get to cut some walnut wood, (my favorite) and I got to pick up walnuts last time we went too. I learned that you need a pair of gloves when you are taking the walnuts out of the green outer shell. Or your hands will be stained for a week. Nothing like fresh walnuts. If you get a chance to walk out in the woods be sure to gather some nuts for the winter. They are tasty in many different recipes!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Feeling better each day. Sun is shining bright outside. I just got the first load of laundry done and getting ready to hang it out on the line. I have lots to do today, housecleaning,homeschooling,cooking,taking care of the couple of family members who got the flu last and did I mention start a worm farm. Yes as a part of our home school we will be starting a worm farm for fun and who knows a profit God willing. This week we are mainly studying the different containers you can use to get your worm farm started. This is exciting and pictures will follow so stay tuned.

Fighting the Flu

Well the rest of the family got the flu too so we are all trying to help each other get over it. I have got to say even though I feel bad I am on the road to recovery. It has been a rough week but at least we will have this over with early in the season. Lots of cough drops and fluids. Glad to know it's almost over!

Flu Season Here

Happy Birthday Dad! Wish I could go visit but I am sick with the flu. This flu is a bad one. I have coughed so bad that my stomach even hurts. I have been taking Vit C and finally broke down and drank some yellow root yesterday. It helped some but I am still dragging. This has been about 4 days now so there has to be a light at the end of this tunnel. I hope I will be better soon.

September Days

Enjoying another September day. Another birthday is coming up soon, my dad's then my sons. My dad's most favorite cake is the peanut butter chocolate and Ben picked out a lemon cake. So we have some baking to do soon. As far as organizing, I have alot to go. So I hope to get it all together soon. We have been trying to make it to church on Sundays and that is always refreshing to praise God and fellowship with others who love Jesus. If you have not been to church in a while. Try to find one that believes like you do and visit every now and then. Have a great week!

Devin Bowling singing Revelation Song

Here is Devin (oldest son) singing one of my most favorite songs. The Revelation song. He is sitting in the back yard with the dog, if you look real close out by the truck one of the little chickens come walking around. It must be dancing. Hope you enjoy.

Lost and Found

Have you ever lost something and spent all day looking for it. Talk about getting behind on duties. Loosing items can really put you in a bind. I am over the lost and found scenarios and ready to get organized. If a person added up all the time they spent looking for something in life they may get quite a shock. Organizing has to be the answer . So my job for the rest of the week is ORGANIZING this house. Did I mention that is easier said then done. Well I am tired of spending half my time looking for that lost item. It is time to get it together so that the whole family can be happier.

Heat Wave

Just when you think the cool air is here for the rest of the year a heat wave moves in. I walked outside today and it was almost smothering. I rested most of the day today. Just one of those lazy days that I didn't feel so well. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Fall Cleaning

Lots to do and so little time. When you get older time flies! I can never get everything done in one day. I have lots of fall cleaning to get caught up on. One room at a time just dont get it for me. I couldn't sleep last night so I was up till the rooster was crowing this morning doing laundry. I have decided we just have too many clothes. We don't realize how much "stuff" we have until we slow down and start sorting it out. I think a big yard sale is on the way, and maybe some ebay sales too! Lots to do and a beautiful day to do it in, thank you LORD!

Finally Made it Home

Yes thats right, I finally made it home. After a little over two years having to work outside of the home I am officially a wahm. Wahmof6 that is! You don't know how happy that makes me and my family. No I didn't save a big fortune while working and I am not living off some sort of lottery winnings, I am just commited to cutting back and using what we have to make it work! God is good all the time and I just said let thy will not my will be done. Next thing I know I am handing in my notice. What a big relief and even though the money is little I have something bigger on my side. God can do all things and we will survive. I love being a stay at home mom!!!!

Ice Cream Supper

What a fun time, we traveled to brownstown for the annual ice cream supper. Every year our electric company has a free ice cream supper and you eat all you want for free. We got to trade in our old light bulbs for new ones and got a couple of sets of decorative lights for being a member. They gave away door prizes but we were not one of the lucky winners for that. Just before I got ready to get my first ice cream I felt some kind of sting on my arm, it hurt real bad but when I looked down I didn't see anything. So I got in line for the rocky road ice cream cones and it was so hot that thing was dripping down my hand going everywhere. It was good though. I was almost done eating it and I noticed my arm is just throbbing. My arm was swelling and it was burning too. So about an half hour later I decided it was time to head back to the line and get a butter pecan. I was able to eat just a double dipper on that one and that was all I could go. My arm continued to swell for the rest of the evening. Only thing I could guess is that it was a wasp. A really fast one! Today I have a red streak going down my arm. Who knows, all I know is that it was very painful! But the ice cream was great!

Dark Clouds Lingering

Driving home from work this moring I noticed that the clouds were so black looking. It was raining and these big black clouds were just lingering real low. I had to stop and wonder, is there oil in those clouds? I just wonder if that is possible, with the oil spill in the gulf I guess it could be. What are your thoughts?

LIfe

Looks like a sunny day outside. I have to work tonight and it looks like thunderstorms tonight. Hope I don't have to drive through it. I got to go visit my sister yesterday. We had a great visit. She was up and walking around and even eating pudding. I hope she gets rid of the that g-tube, that would be a miracle. I got to stop at a few yard sales along the trip and got some great deals along the way. Well this is just an update on whats going on in my world, more to come so check back.

Camping Trip

We made it back from another camping trip. This time we went to Spring Mill. Nice park and lots to do there. The kids had a great time too.

Our first camping trip of the season

We finally made it camping this year and had a pretty good time. Here are some pics of the trip. Hope you enjoy them. I am ready to go camping again!

Cherry picking time in Indiana

It's that time of year again and the cherries are turning red. We picked enough for a couple of pies and also dried some in the dehydrator. Walmart was all out of pectin last visit so hopefully they have a new shipment in before tomorrow. Praise God for the cherries!

Gulf Oil spill fulfills Bible and Hopi prophecy

Wild edible plants and weeds

I went out to eat this morning with my little girl. This home school lesson included how to identify edible plants and weeds. We had a great breakfast right in our own yard. We had Dandelions,lambs quarters,sweet violets,pineapple weed,red and white clovers and honeysuckles. Wow what a breakfast! Never felt so good and the price was just right. FREE. I am studying the wild edible plants for the whole family. We will be learning how to identify correctly the wild edible plants that are available to us for free. Full of vitamins and easy to pick. Learn your wild edible plants because the day is coming that you will have to survive off the land or you will not survive at all! Also learn to identify the poisonous plants so you wont mistakenly eat one!

Francesca Battistelli - Beautiful [with lyrics]

Baby Love Birds Are Growing

We took the baby birds outside to enjoy the sunshine and here is a pic of one of them. They are getting alot bigger and now have almost all their feathers. They love to eat and are so sweet!

Sunshine

A little sunshine peeping through the clouds today. It's been very windy with lots of rain. I wanted to get back out and go mushroom hunting but the wind is going to have to die down alittle before I take the kids out in the woods today.

Garden time

Got the garden tilled, ready to plant seeds today. According to the almanac it is time. The kids are ready. They enjoy planting that garden! If I can just find a way to get them enthused about pulling out the weeds when they pop up we will be doing great!

Indiana Mushrooms

Went out mushroom hunting again and here is what we found! I have cut them in half and rinsed them a few times. Now I will soak them overnight in salt water. Tomorrow we eat mushrooms! Yum Yum!

Mushroom Season

We made it out into the woods again yesterday and this time we found 4 mushrooms! So in the next couple of days they should be popping up like popcorn! Warm air is moving in so I am sure the mushroom woods will be calling.

Baby Love Birds Hatching

Just an update to let you know we now have three baby love birds. One more egg to go. They are doing really well. Look how cute they are!!

Baby Love Bird Eggs hatching

We have baby love birds hatching as we speak! Tony and Angie "yellow bird" just had their first baby bird to hatch. This is so exciting and it is so small and cute as a button! Now we have to come up with a name, Ben said call it tiny.

Picnic

The kids and some of their friends having a picnic on this beautiful day in March. We finally got some warm weather. Now it is time for those mushrooms to start popping up!

Rain,wind and cold air blows in

What a night, after raining pretty much most of the day the wind picked up and it got alittle wild out there! I had to work last night and while I was at work all the sudden the power goes out, the generator comes on and it was alittle scary. So I used a flashlight to try to find my locker at work so I could get my purse and go to the bathroom because it was finally time for me to go home. I found my way to the car and the wind and rain was blowing. I felt like I was in a scary movie. I kept the car on the road but some of the wind gust were pretty strong, along with the pouring down rain. I made it home safe and went to bed when my 14 year old comes up and says it's snowing outside! I was too tired to get up and look and just kept listening to the wind. I was hoping it was going to get warm enough to go mushroom hunting but I guess I am gona have to wait alittle while on that.

EndtimeWatchman I AM A FREE MAN. Are You a Citizen or Sovereign? pt1/11

March has arrived

March has come and oh so quickly, but that is fine because I am more than ready for spring. Please keep my sister Angela in your prayers, my sister Chanel,my sister Jessica,and my other sister Cynthia. This must be sister week :) Of course all my brothers and sisters in Christ! Praise the Lord for he is worthy to be praised. Not much time to write today, just lots of laundry and dishes needing my attention. So today is major house cleaning day. I think I need an energy drink!

I Just Won 10 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

I Just Won 10 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

February coming to and end

Well it's the end of February and snow is flying again. Cold and snowy thats the forcast for today. I keep telling myself think spring, I know it is right around the corner. So I guess I will enjoy the last snow flakes with a smile.

New Love Bird

Tony our love bird now has a new friend! Meet Yellow bird, our latest addition to the love bird family. At first I was beginning to wonder if they were gona get along but they finally broke the ice and are friends at last.

State of Emergency and New Dog

We finally got the big one, a snow storm that put us under a level 4 state of emergency. No vehicles except emergency vehicles allowed. It was quite a pile up. I called in work and pretty much just stayed snowed in this week.
We got a new dog named Chilito. He is a dachshund and baby just loves him! He fits in real well with the rest of the bunch. Top pic is Chilito the new dog and bottom is Baby. They have just made the best of friends!

New Tires

Finally broke down and was going to get a new tire, bad news was I had two tires that had threads coming through and was bald. Not to mention by the time my car got to the shop I almost had a flat tire. That is what you call driving on a prayer! Thank God for watching over me and Paul for taking my car to get my tires put on today. My sister-n-law borrowed the new camera or I would take a picture and let you see how they looked!
The roads are getting cleaned off and I get to go back to work tomorrow. Looks like a new snowstorm is going to be hitting again this weekend. I just hopes it waits until my next day off. If not at least I have new tires to drive on and I wont feel like I am sledding home :)
On a good note, Endtimewatchman is back on the blogtalk radio on tuesday nights. A real encouragement and quite a blessing!

Winter Storm Watch

I just read the weather report and looks like we are under a winter storm watch. We got a pretty good snow friday and I got to drive home from work in it. I had to keep my headlights on low so I could see what was left of the reflectors on the road. I drove about 30-35mph home. I did a 180 and then brought the car under control. Needless to say my heart was racing! I made it home now we are getting ready for the next big storm. I saw on the internet that there was a big explosion at the Kleen Power Plant in Connecticut. I will be following the story as it comes available.

Happy Birthday Harrison

We celebrated Harrison's 14th birthday yesterday. He got a new digital camera,money and a cheesecake. We had pizza and hotwings for his birthday supper. They grow up so fast!
It's snowing again here in Indiana. Woodstoves are burning and it is nice and cozy in here. Fixing chili for supper. The kids love chili in the winter time. Pictures to come soon. So stay tuned.

Contaminated Drinking Water In Salem Indiana

I have been buying bottled water for quite some time due to the fact that our water taste like crap! This has been an ongoing issue for months and has really raised my concerns of my children drinking this water. This is just one example of how they think they can fool you into buying the water because its ok and they are not telling the whole story. This is just a little town here in southern Indiana and I am sure that the problem is elsewhere too. The water is not safe! Don't drink it!

Taxes

Tax time again, and I have been gathering all the paperwork. It's alot harder when you have your own business when it comes time to taxes. I think I have most of it all done though and looks like we will get back a refund. (Much needed) I got my seeds in the mail I ordered for the garden. I can't wait to plant them. I am going to start an inside garden first so it won't be long.

Getting Ready For Spring

I may be jumping the gun here but I am ready for spring. This 20 degree stuff is getting old. If I can't be all the way snowed in I just want spring to come. I ordered some seeds on the internet and can't wait to get them started. I studied out how to make some home made pots to plant them in and I am ready to start my garden early.

Happy New Year

Snow flurries are blowing and it is a new year. Happy New Year 2010! I hope to have lots of changes this year for the better! It's freezing out there tonight so the woodstoves are going for sure.