24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 3

 Today I am remembering and thanking the Lord for His hand of provision. He has provided for our every need and it astounds and amazes me to think about it.
  I am a homemaker. We are a newlywed one-income family. To say that we aren't always in high cotton is rather an understatement :) But we have never once wanted for a thing.
  We were so blessed when we set up our home. We were given so many things--our dining set, our couch, our coffee table and end tables, just to name a few. And we had some amazing wedding showers (3!). What we weren't given directly, the Lord provided the money for us to get what we needed.
 It hasn't stopped since we've been married, actually it has increased. I posted several weeks ago about our dryer and how He gave us a much newer one for free!
 Right before we were married a co-worker of Jacob's came to him and asked if we needed a deep freezer. Jacob told him yes, and the man said that he had a small upright one that we could have. They needed a larger one now and had a spare. As it turns out, that freezer was the perfect size for our apartment. Having freezer space is such a blessing. I am able to store so much more food than if I only had the little freezer above the fridge. I can catch things on sale and make meals ahead and have them for later. And did I mention that we were given the freezer for free?!
 Another way that the Lord has provided for us is through our health. In the 10 months that we have been married we have both had excellent health. We've still fallen prey to colds and allergies, but those things haven't been anything requiring a hospital stay or numerous doctor visits. Even earlier this year when a horse spooked and dragged Jacob out of the horse trailer, his injuries were minor--they could have been so much worse than they were. He has protected us every step of the way.
 All of these things are a confirmation to us that we are in God's will. We are happy, we have all that we need and then some. I have no doubt that He will take care of us as long as we serve Him.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.  Psalm 37:25 KJV 

Carpet Cleaner--from your pantry

Earlier today I found a recipe for carpet cleaner (on Pinterest, where else?!). I had been needing to buy some carpet cleaner for a few coffee spots and a place or two by the front door.
 I saw the recipe and decided to try it before I bought any from the store. I'm always open to expirements :)
 Guess what? It really worked! And it was so inexpensive and easy--barely any elbow grease and it was quick.
I am completely sold on it and never have to worry about running out of cleaner again. Yippee!

CARPET CLEANER:

First, sprinkle the stain(s) with BAKING SODA and rub it in a little. Let set for 10 or so minutes. Vacuum up the baking soda, then mix:

2 cups of warm water
1 T. white vinegar
1 T. dishwashing liquid (I used Dawn)

Sponge onto stain generously and scrub. Let dry and say goodbye to stains :)

Note: I haven't noticed any vinegary smell--which was really the only concern I had with the mix.



Also check out the following recipe for Homemade Fabric Softener

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 2

Yesterday was about sisters, today I'm thankful for my little brothers. People laugh when I say little, as they have been much bigger than me for years.

For many years, it was just us "Big Three". Not having a sister for so long, I would play trucks and guns with them and they would (sometimes) play dolls with me. More often than not we would end up playing "pioneer" which was a hybrid of the two--guns and babies. :)

 We big three have always felt like we were a unit--you didn't mess with one of us without messing with the other two. And you certainly didn't want to get in a debate with all three of us! :) We share the same visions and goals for our families and lives.

  We are happiest and have the most fun when we are together. We have always loved working on projects together, and my brothers are the main reason I enjoy firearms so much. They told me that ladies need to know how to shoot--after all, Jael took up a tent peg against the enemy. One day after working with me to get my groupings closer together and to the center of the target, Josh said, "Well....it isn't as close as I like it, but if it were a hog, a coyote or a man after you, he'd be pretty wounded and you could get away."

Typical pose for us three..none of us paying attention.

There, that's better :)

  Josh and Patric are a team. They work best together. They can take of the family business completely by themselves if my father has to be away. They can build almost anything and can fix almost anything.

  I am so proud of the men they are becoming, but even more, I am proud of the men of God that they are. They are dedicated in their walk with Him and their love for Him inspires and convicts me at the same time.

  I love them so much and miss them greatly. I'm just glad that we get to be together pretty often and that they love Jacob so much and vice-versa. It makes it easier to get together and have them over that way.
 Whoever gets either one of my brothers for a husband will be one lucky girl!

24 Days of Thanksgiving : Day 1

I decided to try to post something I am thankful and grateful for every day this month until Thanksgiving. There will be no specific order of importance in the posting, just the things I am thankful for that day. It is my goal to post everyday, but that may be interrupted a time or two as I learned this week we will probably be moving to another city for a few months. We will be leaving before Thanksgiving, but I will make an effort to post everyday.

Today I am thankful for my little sisters.

There was a time when I thought I wouldn't be blessed with sisters. I have two wonderful brothers, 3 and 6 years younger than me. I wanted a sister so much, and when my mom had a miscarriage when I was nine, I was crushed. A year later, the Lord gave me my first sister, Wendi. She was my real, live baby doll and I loved having her around so much.
  I occasionally joke that my prayers for a sister must have stacked up in Heaven then all of them came back at one time, because six years later Hannah was born. Two years after Hannah, Lydia was born, then almost three years after Lydia, came Faith. The last three were all born at home and I was blessed to assist with their births--which was awesome! I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.
  I love them all so much. I never dreamed how much I would miss them when I married, or how much they would adore my husband and vice-versa. Jacob was more than a little surprised while we were courting when I told him that Mama was expecting another baby. He loves to shock people with the fact that he has sister-in-laws that are 20+years younger than he is.

 We didn't know that Wendi was a girl until she was born. Mom had had a sonogram, but Wendi was too modest and didn't cooperate. I was so happy that she was a girl, I cried when I held her for the first time.
  This is Wendi's first year to hunt and last weekend she shot her first deer. It was an eight point buck and we are all so proud and excited for her, especially Daddy. :)  Not only is she able to "bring home the bacon (or venison!)" but she can also make it into a wonderful meal. She is learning to sew and is doing very well.

 Mom says that Hannah is exactly like I was when I was little only red-headed instead of blonde. Soooo prissy and dramatic--I have apologized to Mom on several occasions for all the drama and silliness she had to put up with when I was young :)
 Lydia is Jacob's sweetheart. She loves her Jacob so much that I think if we were closer in age she wouldn't have ever forgiven me for marrying him. She told Mom the other day that "Jacob is really mine, Becca just shares."
  Hannah and Lyddie are best  friends and take care of each other.

And last but not least...Faith. She was the surprise we are all so thankful for. She was only 3 months old when I married, so many times I feel like I am missing out on so much of her first years. Thankfully, modern technology has helped make it easier, and I always get lots of pictures from home of her doing cute, new things. I was worried that she wouldn't know me since I live a good hour away and do not get to see them as much as we all would like. But so far that hasn't been a problem. She loves me and knows me and gets very excited when we talk on the phone or when she sees me. She'll hug me and hold me for a long time and has started trying to say mine and Jacob's names. She loves Jacob too, and like the other little sisters-in-law, has him wrapped around her little finger.

Faith eating marshmallows for the first time.

 I never ever dreamed that I would have sisters so much younger than me, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. It is a little amusing sometimes though, as some of my friends have children the same ages as my sisters!

Encourage One Another Link Up 

Vintage 8 Point Star Motif Pattern and Wisdom

Years ago my mom found an awesome old crochet patterns book for me at a resale shop. It was from 1946 and some of the things in it are just awesome. It has everything from sweaters, gloves, hats, baby things, bedspreads, edgings and of course many, many doily patterns. I love it because all of the patterns are authentically vintage.
  Another reason I love this book is for the chapter introductions. It was written for homemakers and it is full of wisdom and inspiration for making a house a home. It was written in a time where women took much pride in filling and making their homes lovely and homey with things that they had made.
 Here is the introduction to the Dress-for-Dinner Tablecloths chapter, where the following pattern is taken from:

  "The dinner hour is one of the most pleasant interludes of the day. Work done, problems temporarily forgotten, the family gathered in a circle...it's an hour for sociability and relaxation, for hearing the day's news and telling it...for sharing fun and making plans...and hour which plays an important part in strengthening the ties of affection and friendship that weld a family into a close-knit corporation.

  It deserves the most attractive setting you can give it. There's no excuse for a nondescript looking table--inexpensive dishes come in so many pretty colorful patterns. Make a habit of arranging the table as attractively as possible, bright silver at each setting, a pretty cloth, a gay centerpiece--a bowl of fruit, and amusing pair of pottery figures...bright decorations lend a festive note to the dinner table.

  Naturally when you have guests for dinner you want your table to look its best...your best crystal, sparkling silver, flowers...and one of your loveliest, laciest, dressed-for-dinner cloths...take you choice of the eight beauties in this chapter, making a handsome background for a table that looks "just like a picture". "

 The pattern I have shared today is one of my favorites. I haven't made a tablecloth from it yet, but who knows, maybe one day I will. I love the motifs and use them for mini-doilies and coasters. They work up very quickly and not much skill or experience in crochet is needed to make them. Enjoy and please let me know if you download the pattern.

Click Here to Download Pattern

EOA Link up 

Menu Planning

   I grew up in a home that was always busy cooking and baking--almost always from scratch. My mother helped instill a love of cooking in me by always letting me help her, even when my "help" was more of a hindrance than anything else. My daddy helped seal this love of cooking even more by praising my efforts and finding new recipes for me to try. I'll never forget the week or two I tried almost every day to perfect my buttermilk biscuits and make them taste just like my great-grandmother's did--just for Daddy. I did :) and he was so happy and enjoyed them so much. It made all the work worth it.
 Now that I am married, I have a husband who loves my cooking and raves on and on about it to other people. My cooking ability is a great source of pride to him--I think he really thinks there isn't anything I can't make!
 But guess what? I don't always know what to cook, or have inspiration for delicious, healthy meals. Some days I don't feel like cooking, or nothing sounds good at all. Most of the time when that happens I just make sure to have a protein shake and make myself eat something nutritious and move on. That is fine for me, but if you have a hungry hardworking man around the house, that isn't going to cut it. It is too easy to give into temptation and run out and grab a bite to eat--we live so  close to so many restaurants--but that isn't good for us or our bank account.
 I've found that if I plan ahead and make menu plans, we do better about eating at home and I'm not at a loss for what to make for supper.
 Not only does this help us save money, it also helps cut down on costs at the grocery store. When I make the menu plan for the week, I make the grocery list according to what is on the plan for the week. Also, I've found that making the menu plan after checking what is on sale that week helps a lot too.
  When I know what I am cooking for the week it keeps me focused and on track and I am not as liable to just aimlessly buy things. The worst thing for me to do is plan the menu while I am in the store! I will come home with all sorts of things we didn't need.

 My menu plans are very simple right now. I only really have to plan for supper (or dinner, whichever you prefer :) ), and only five suppers a week. Our weekend plans vary from weekend to weekend and we often spend them with my family in the country and Sundays are spent with his parents. So I don't have to plan meals for the weekends.
  Breakfast and lunch are often easy, no-brainers. For lunch I usually send Jacob a sandwich or leftovers from supper the night before, and sometimes he eats lunch out with someone from work.
 Earlier this year I decided to get with the program and plan and be more organized.  I started by making a list of all the meals I could think of off the top of my head. After that, I kept a running list close by for whenever Jacob or I thought of another one. Once I had a pretty good list compiled I sorted the meals into two categories: quick and normal. A few examples of quick: tacos/taco salads, cheeseburgers, BLT's, etc. I mixed up the meals and made sure to have at least one "quick" meal a week in the mix.
  Also another meal that counts as "quick" is a casserole or something from the freezer. Even though I've been cooking for two for almost a year, there are still some things that when I make them, I prepare enough for an army. Casseroles, soups and chicken pot pies, just to mention a few. Thankfully, we were given LOTS of glassware in our wedding showers so when I prepare too much, I can divide it into two meals worth and freeze one. This helps a lot, I just have to remember to set it in the fridge the night before or early the next morning.
I didn't assign specific days to the meals because our schedule is never the same. Below is the result of all that thinking and planning.

 Since then, I've added some new meals to my repertoire, and use the above list more as an idea springboard for when I don't know what to cook. I need to edit it and add more things to it.  I have some new crockpot/slowcooker recipes that are great on busy days or if we eat at home on Sundays.
This list lives on the fridge where I can always see it. I had been keeping it in my three ring binder that I keep my calendar and some recipes in, but it was out of sight and therefore, out of mind. Since it is on the fridge I use it all the time.
 I put together a "menu planner" earlier this week, inspired by one I saw on Pinterest. It has a spot for five suppers a week, and a place to make a grocery list. It is blank and I'll just plan the menu the day I buy groceries.  If you'd like to look at it or use it for your own menus, you can download it by clicking on the link below.

Click Here to Download my Menu Planner 

 Hopefully all these things will make it easier for me to stay on track with my meals. I do really well with lists and checklists.

 I'll be posting some new recipes soon, so stay tuned!

Encourage One Another Link up--Deep Roots at Home 

Contentment--Great Gain

 "But godliness with content is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6 (KJV)

  A house, a milk cow, chickens, a little place to grow things, a big porch to sit on in the evenings with my honey, trees, a clothesline, the sounds of birds and woods instead of traffic....these are just a few of the things that I wish for at least once a week. My husband and I love to plan and dream about when we move back to the country. He wants a pair of hunting/cow dogs and a shop where he can build things for us. We are both very visionary and it is easy for us to get very wrapped up in our plans and ideas.
 My mom and I were talking the other day about all of our plans, and my parent's plans to build a new larger home on their land. We were saying how we couldn't wait and how wonderful it would be and life would just be great.
  While we were talking I realized something. Even though I ache to be back in the country, and I can't wait to have all of the things I mentioned above, I really and truly am happy. Completely happy and content just as I am now. I never thought this country girl could be so happy in the city.
 I was so happy when I realized that because for a while I have been making a conscious effort to bloom where I am planted. It is very easy to not want to put down roots because "Oh, we won't be here long enough, why go to all the trouble?" Roots take work and when the season changes, it can be painful to be uprooted. It can be easier sometime to live the idyllic future we imagine than living in the here and now. Sometimes the here and now isn't any fun.
  I have been trying very hard not get so wrapped up in what we are going to do, that I don't get to enjoy what we are doing and experiencing right now. I really am having the time of my life, when I stop and think about it. I feel like I am on an adventure--everything is new and I am learning all kinds of things. I have time right now to learn and perfect new skills and I may never have this opportunity again.
 I've also found that the more thankful and grateful I am, the more happy and content I am. Instead of wishing for the day when we can move to the country, I thank the Lord for the things He has given us and worked out for us here in the city.
 For example: out apartment is a bottom story apartment. This makes it so much easier when I buy groceries, not having to cart things up stairs. Also, our grandparents are able to visit us more easily, since going up stairs is difficult for them. We are able to park our vehicles right in front of our apartment, which is a great blessing, especially in the winter.
 Our home is a larger one bedroom apartment, with a small laundry room in it. I am able to do all of my laundry at home and not have to go elsewhere, like some of my friends who live in apartments have to. I can do laundry at midnight if I need to :)
  We live only about eight minutes from Jacob's job. Sometimes he is able to come home for lunch. It is wonderful that his commute every day is so short.
  When I am content and happy, it makes things easier for Jacob. It says to him that he is doing an amazing job providing for me and that I have confidence in him. When I am content and happy our home is peaceful and a refuge. He has always jokingly said "When Mama's happy, everyone is happy," and to large extent, that is true. The wife is largely responsible for the tone and the atmosphere in the home. I want our home to be a place of peace and joy for him.
  So, slowly and surely, I am learning contentment and its benefits and blessings. I want to bloom where I am planted and I want the fragrance from those blooms to be a blessing to my Creator, my husband and those around me.

 "....for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11 (KJV)


Encourage One Another Link Up 

Loneliness and Transitions

I've learned a lot in the last nine months about loneliness and transitions. When I married, I moved from the country to the city, from one way of life to another. I changed addresses, churches, and left almost everything that was familiar and "safe" to me. I grew up in a small farming community where everyone knew everyone, just about, and if they didn't know me they knew my father, or grandfathers. My family has been in that area for close to a century.
 Now I'm in a rather large city on the outskirts of a really large city. I barely know anyone. There is not that same feeling of security that I used to have.
  Not only has all of that been a big adjustment, probably the hardest thing was going from a loud, happy, busy house that was always full of family and friends and life to being alone in an apartment most of the time. It was rather jarring, really. Going from having seven to eight other people to talk to and be with every day, all day, to just me, alone all day, was a huge change.
 The first several months were the hardest. I missed my siblings, I missed my parents, I missed my church and I missed the country. Yes, I had Jacob, and he was the fulfillment of all of my hopes and prayers, but I still missed my family. When you are as close to your family as I was  ( and still am) it is not easy to leave them. My mom is my best friend and we were used to being together, cooking together, drinking coffee in the afternoons...it was harder than I thought to leave them. My heart ached for them.
 Many nights after Jacob would fall asleep, I would get up and go to livingroom so as not to wake him while I cried from homesickness.
 I missed my church. I had grown up there, and now felt uprooted and like a stranger in a different land. My new church was wonderful, and loved me to pieces and went out of their way to make me feel loved and at home, but it just wasn't the same. It's a large church, and for awhile I felt that I wasn't needed. I grew up in a small church and I was very involved. I played piano, taught Sunday School, and helped with whatever else needed doing. Now I felt useless.
 To be honest, I was close to despair a few times.
  I don't think I could have made it through the transition without Jacob and the Lord. Jacob was wonderful and so understanding and gentle with me through all of this. He took me home to see me family A LOT. It was every weekend for awhile. We visited my church a lot those first few months.
  Whenever I would cry for missing everyone, he would hold me and pray for me, asking the Lord to help me and comfort my heart. He prayed for me a lot during that time.
 That time of loneliness drew me closer to the Lord and closer to Jacob. I'm beginning to understand "leaving and cleaving" now. It hurts sometimes. But it is necessary for growth and maturity.
  Things are much better now, nine months later. I still miss my family, and it hurts that I am missing so much of their lives--like my baby sister Faith has started walking this week, and I wasn't there. Those things still hurt. But I've grown accustomed to being alone most of the time, and actually sometimes I crave it. :) I guess I'm turning into a hermit.
 My new church is now "home" to me. My feelings of not belonging are gone now and I am very happy.
  I didn't know what I was in for when I married and moved away. So I will share somethings I wish I'd been told in order to deal with transitions and loneliness:

• You are going to miss your family more than you can imagine.
•  It's OK to cry. Don't try to hold it in, just cry and don't worry about it. You'll feel better afterwards, trust me. Tears can be healing.
• Transitions and changes do not come easily or painlessly most of the time, but they are for our good.
• Even when it hurts so bad and we don't understand, God sees the bigger picture and holds all in His hands.
• It will get better. It may take a little while, but it will be better and your heart will stop aching as much. Just draw close to God and your husband and it will all work out.

Encourage One Another Link Up

October already!

I can't believe October is here! Where has this year gone? It feels like it should still be in July or August.
 A cool front blew in last weekend and has made the temperature more bearable. Not quite hot chocolate weather, but at least now we don't have to worry about heat stroke. I can't wait to sit on the porch in the evenings with my honey and enjoy the weather.
 I've been busy with dress fittings, music practices and company the last week. The bridesmaid dresses are almost finished, though it is a little difficult since all the bridesmaids but one live about an hour away and work strange hours. Some of my creativity has been squelched by only working on one project at a time. I have probably close to fifteen (well, that may be an exaggeration) projects I'm dying to try, but I am going to finish the dresses first.
  My mom and sisters came to see me Friday. Faith says my name now and will take one or two steps by herself now. We all went to a few of the many resale shops that are close to my apartment and came home with some bargains :).
One of my finds was a very pretty king-size pillow case that I want to make into a little girl's nightgown. I found this tutorial and free pdf pattern and I can't wait to do it. I have never really cared for the pajamas that they make for little girls these days. I prefer old fashioned, modest and feminine little gowns :) And if they are made from pretty pillowcases, how much cuter can they get?
 After my mom and sisters left, my oldest little brother came and stayed most of the weekend with us. He has been wanting to get into bow hunting so this weekend Jacob helped him get set up. We spent several hours at the Bass Pro Shop on Saturday. I'd never been to that store before and all I can say is "wow". It's like a Gander Mountain, Cracker Barrell and Buccee's all rolled into one.
 And last but not least, a somewhat amusing story for you:
 The last several weeks I've been threatening to make gumbo again. After the disaster last time I made gumbo, I've been a little reluctant to try it again. But it sounded great to Jacob for supper last night so I summoned up the courage to go at it again, this time vowing not to leave the stove at all.
  Jacob requested okra again (yikes!) and shrimp this time. I am clueless when it comes to shrimp. I don't eat shrimp so I do not know anything about it. My mom had always bought the shrimp and taken care of it. Jacob suggested just getting some frozen cocktail shrimp and using them. So I did. They worked out great.
  Well, supper was almost finished, the cornbread muffins were almost out of the oven and I was setting the table. I went to stir the gumbo one more time and heard Jacob's truck pull in. I started dishing up the gumbo and something just didn't look right. Then to my dismay, I realized that I'd forgotten the okra AGAIN! All I could was laugh. Jacob came in the door and I told him what happened and he started laughing (thank heavens!). So we just delayed supper until the okra I added was finished.
Wait, there's more. Look at this picture:

 

 Yes, guess who left the TAILS ON THE SHRIMP? As I said, I don't know anything about shrimp. Jacob popped one in his mouth and about 3 seconds later out came the tail. Thankfully, he laughed again.

  What is really funny is that he almost sent me a text to remind me to put okra in the gumbo, but decided not to because "surely she'll remember it this time."

 Oh the joys of domestic bliss!

Venison Shish Kebob and homemade pita bread

For supper last night Jacob and I were adventurous and made something neither one of us had ever cooked before--shish kebobs. It was due largely in part to our pastor's message Sunday night--he talked about shish kebobs and had the entire congregation's mouths watering. We decided immediately that was what we were having for supper the next night. Aaahhhh, the power of suggestion!

 I had some venison backstrap in the freezer from a whitetail deer Jacob shot last year. I let it thaw then marinated it for several hours in and oil and vinegar dressing, pepper, garlic powder and a bit of steak seasoning. I know, the spice combination may not be very authentically Middle Eastern, but this was an experiment. I cut up yellow and zucchini squash, onions and bell peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes.
Lessons learned: Next time I'll slice the squash thinner and use cherry tomatoes. Everything else was perfect.

I made some almost whole wheat pita breads. They would have been 100% whole wheat, but I didn't realize that I was almost out of whole wheat flour. So they are 75% whole wheat :) Jacob LOVED them and called them "Bible breads". He especially loves them with peanut butter.  I was glad because he hasn't cared for some of the whole wheat things I've made in the past. I'll share the recipe in a minute.

Here are some photos of our evening for you to drool over:

My manly man manning the grill :) Notice our brand on the truck?

 

 Hungry yet?

Almost whole wheat pita bread

1 T yeast                                               1 T honey

1 1/3 c. warm water                               1 T oil

2 t. salt                                                 3 1/2 c. whole wheat flour

In a large mixing bowl sprinkle yeast over warm water. Stir in salt, honey, oil and 1 1/2 cups flour. Beat til smooth.

 Stir in 1 cup flour. Knead in as much of the remaining flour to make a smooth and elastic dough. Cover and let rest  for 10 minutes.

  Punch dough down. Knead until smooth and elastic. Wash out bowl and grease with a little oil. Place dough in greased bowl and turn to coat.. Cover and let rise til doubled.

  Punch dough down and divide into 8 equal parts. Shape each piece into a ball and let rest for 30 minutes.

  On a lightly oiled or floured surface, roll or pat each piece into a 7 inch circle. 

 Preheat oven to 500* F and place an upside down pizza pan on bottom rack of the oven. Let breads rise for approx. 30 minutes. When bread is ready to bake, gently place one or two breads on the hot pizza pan. Bake for four to seven minutes or until lightly golden and puffed up into a ball.

  Cool on wire racks, but cover them so they do not dry out. If not using right away, store in plastic bags.

Enjoy!

Encourage One Another Link Up
Raising Homemakers Link-up #58