Aug 28, 2007

A "Christian" Lock In?

This is another one of those "am I the only one?", moments.  The local church, where our girls go to youth group, is having a "lock in".  This involves games, snacks, a movie, I think, but I don't know if it involves much in the way of spiritual lessons or encouragement.  It will be chaperoned, but it's a boy/girl thing where they stay up all night.  Does this seem like an edifying thing?  Am I just a stick in the mud, who doesn't let my kids have any fun?  No one else seems to give it a second thought.  There are sincere Christian youth in this youth group and born again Christian leaders who plan this.  I just thought I'd get a second opinion.  If I'm being too strict or too???I'd like to know.  I haven't said no and my girls want to go so badly.  All of their Christian friends will be there.  How hard is it to say no?  Very. 


Any ideas or scripture to guide me?


From Glory Farm

Aug 23, 2007

Washing Soda-It's not just for laundry soap

I like picking up old oak chairs at rummage sales and such.  I can usually get them for about $5.  I just finished stripping my last purchase and realized the chair has cost me $15 already.  Five for the chair and $10 for the stripper.  Is this a good deal?  I found some more natural and less costly solutions, but remember I haven't tried them and so don't know how well they work.


1.Make a thick paste of washing soda and leave on for a number of hours, keeping it damp.


2.Oven cleaner.  Spray on and leave for 30 minutes.  Scrape with steel scourers.


3. Hot vinegar.


Other things I didn't know:


Borax is a disinfectant when mixed with water.


Mixing washing soda and water works for a pre-wash.


Washing soda is such a good grease cutter, it's a must for mechanics.


Thought I'd share my latest discoveries.


From Glory Farm

Aug 21, 2007

Harvey Ferdinand DaBul

Here he is.  He's an orphan.  His momma died a day after giving birth.  We're bottle feeding this guy and boy can he eat.  What a blessing for us.  We have two other steers, but they're holsteins.  This little guy is healthy and getting strong fast.


Have a wonderful evening.


From Glory Farm

Aug 14, 2007

Making Nut Butter and Pie Filling

Food preservation is getting to be a full time job around here.  Praise God.  We are giving our bounty away and we still can't out give God.  I want to be a good steward and so was looking for ideas on how to use up all of this zuchinni.  I've froze some, I've made bread and froze that, zuchinni jam is an option.  I decided to try to can apple pie filling, substituting zuchinni for apple.  I haven't tasted it yet and the jars had some trouble sealing for some reason, but here's the recipe:


Peel and slice zuchinni (apples).  Fill quart jars.  (This made six quarts for me.)  Fill tightly. 


Make syrup:


4 1/2 cups sugar


1 cup cornstarch


2 tsp. cinnamon


1/4 tsp. nutmeg


1 tsp. salt


10 cups water


Cook syrup until thick and bubbly, add 3 Tbl. lemon juice.  Pour over zuchinni in jars.  Put on lids.  Process 20 minutes in hot water bath.  (I think a pressure canner might work better?)


I'm also looking at a mess of sunflower seeds.  I save some for the birds, roast some and this year I thought I'd try and make sunblower butter.  I love the stuff that I buy in the health food store.  I found this recipe on the internet:


Using raw seeds, shell them by putting them in a cloth bag and punding them gently with the flat side of a hammer.  Don't smash them, just crush them.  When mostly crushed, pour them into cold water and stir a time or two to let the loosened hulls rise to the top.  Skim these off and stir again, as many times as it takes.


When nothing but kernels are left, spread to dry.


Grind seeds in a food processor,(easiest) or a blender.  If seeds seem dry and clumpy, add a little oil, about a quarter teaspoon at a time until you get the right consistency.  Keep mixing until the butter is as smooth as you want it.  You can add salt, salt will keep it better.  Store in the refrigerator.


My seeds aren't quite done yet, but I'm anxious to try this. 


Also, does anyone know how to roast ranch flavored sunflower seeds?  Do you think it would work to soak them in Hidden Valley Mix before roasting?


Have a blessed day,


From Glory Farm

Aug 9, 2007

Tips and Tidbits

We have a 16 year old who tells us constantly "I'm not a morning person" and then lives up to this.  She is GRUMPY.  Here's a solution?  Tea from wild violet flowers.  I haven't tried it yet, but I may insist she try it. 


If you have to sew or mend heavy tarps, tents, canvas or leather and you don't have a thimble, tape a coin to your finger to push the needle through.


Have a pleasant and prosperous day.


From Glory Farm

Aug 7, 2007

Attack of the Killer Zuchinni

In the shadowy depths of my garden lurcks the "mutant zuchinni".  It grows larger and larger, unseen by the locals until at last, unable to conceal itself any longer,  it bursts forth to confront the gardener. (That's me.) The scene isn't pretty and you may want to make sure your children don't read this.  With hatchet and wheelbarrow I go out to battle.  Well, maybe that's a bit of a stretch.  You get the idea. 


These squash were found in my garden.  The one on the left is some kind of zuchinni, I think.  I didn't plant it and there wasn't a garden here last year, so I don't know where it came from.  The one on the right is two squash grown together.  I think it's some kind of summer squash, but I don't which type.  And how would you prepare it?


Here are a couple of pics of my garden.  It's hard to tell what everything is.  I was going to wait to show you until all of the weeds were pulled, but that is so not going to happen.



Also, is it possible to can pesto?  I don't have a canner so it would be open kettle.  And what is the best way to preserve green peppers?  Canning, freezing?


Thanks so much. 


All for His glory.


 

Aug 6, 2007

Why we decided to homeschool

We have two children, 10 and 8, that we homeschool.  We have two others, 16 and 14, that we do not.  We have a blended family and that is why the older two go to public school, their dad refuses to let them be homeschooled, and now that they're older, they say they don't want it either. 


I have always wanted to homeschool.  Initially, it was because I had such bad experiences when I went to school.  Now that I love the Lord, I see so many more reasons.  My husband was homeschooled during highschool and loved the freedom and the experiences he had.  He never doubted that his children would be homeschooled. 


Our homeschooled children see the world much differently than their public schooled peers.  They love fixing tractors and learning the history of things.  They like frequent field trips, stamp, rock, and coin collecting.  They see how things relate to the bible more clearly than a lot of children that we know.  We emphasize making do and being able to utilize what you have to do what you want.  Kind of a MacGuyver type of mentality.


I think I could go on and on about why we homeschool, the opportunity to study what you're interested in, to spend time in prayer and bible study, to get everything done and have no "homework", to do community service as part of school, interacting with people of all ages instead of just your age, the abscence of teasing and the building of God confidence, etc.  After all, we, as parents, are responsible for our children's education.  Not the schools or the teachers.  No matter where your children are educated, the buck stops at you, the parent.


All for His glory.


From Glory Farm

Tips and Tidbits

We never stop learning.  Trouble is, we sometimes stop retaining. I hope by blogging things I'm learning, maybe I'll help to retain them.  At least they'll be there in black and white for me to access, unless my computer crashes.


Did you know that a good way to tell what plug may be fouled out on your tractor is to run it for a little bit, turn it off and feel to see which plug feels coolest?  We've pulled plugs, one by one before to find the culprit.  This is cool.


Also, a poltice of cobwebs will stop the flow of blood.  I've read it works on cows that have just been dehorned.  Considering the amount of cobwebs in our barn, I think we should try this next time.  We cautorized them instead and I know it was quite painful. 


Have a glorious day.


From Glory Farm

Aug 28, 2007

A "Christian" Lock In?

This is another one of those "am I the only one?", moments.  The local church, where our girls go to youth group, is having a "lock in".  This involves games, snacks, a movie, I think, but I don't know if it involves much in the way of spiritual lessons or encouragement.  It will be chaperoned, but it's a boy/girl thing where they stay up all night.  Does this seem like an edifying thing?  Am I just a stick in the mud, who doesn't let my kids have any fun?  No one else seems to give it a second thought.  There are sincere Christian youth in this youth group and born again Christian leaders who plan this.  I just thought I'd get a second opinion.  If I'm being too strict or too???I'd like to know.  I haven't said no and my girls want to go so badly.  All of their Christian friends will be there.  How hard is it to say no?  Very. 


Any ideas or scripture to guide me?


From Glory Farm

Aug 23, 2007

Washing Soda-It's not just for laundry soap

I like picking up old oak chairs at rummage sales and such.  I can usually get them for about $5.  I just finished stripping my last purchase and realized the chair has cost me $15 already.  Five for the chair and $10 for the stripper.  Is this a good deal?  I found some more natural and less costly solutions, but remember I haven't tried them and so don't know how well they work.


1.Make a thick paste of washing soda and leave on for a number of hours, keeping it damp.


2.Oven cleaner.  Spray on and leave for 30 minutes.  Scrape with steel scourers.


3. Hot vinegar.


Other things I didn't know:


Borax is a disinfectant when mixed with water.


Mixing washing soda and water works for a pre-wash.


Washing soda is such a good grease cutter, it's a must for mechanics.


Thought I'd share my latest discoveries.


From Glory Farm

Aug 21, 2007

Harvey Ferdinand DaBul

Here he is.  He's an orphan.  His momma died a day after giving birth.  We're bottle feeding this guy and boy can he eat.  What a blessing for us.  We have two other steers, but they're holsteins.  This little guy is healthy and getting strong fast.


Have a wonderful evening.


From Glory Farm

Aug 14, 2007

Making Nut Butter and Pie Filling

Food preservation is getting to be a full time job around here.  Praise God.  We are giving our bounty away and we still can't out give God.  I want to be a good steward and so was looking for ideas on how to use up all of this zuchinni.  I've froze some, I've made bread and froze that, zuchinni jam is an option.  I decided to try to can apple pie filling, substituting zuchinni for apple.  I haven't tasted it yet and the jars had some trouble sealing for some reason, but here's the recipe:


Peel and slice zuchinni (apples).  Fill quart jars.  (This made six quarts for me.)  Fill tightly. 


Make syrup:


4 1/2 cups sugar


1 cup cornstarch


2 tsp. cinnamon


1/4 tsp. nutmeg


1 tsp. salt


10 cups water


Cook syrup until thick and bubbly, add 3 Tbl. lemon juice.  Pour over zuchinni in jars.  Put on lids.  Process 20 minutes in hot water bath.  (I think a pressure canner might work better?)


I'm also looking at a mess of sunflower seeds.  I save some for the birds, roast some and this year I thought I'd try and make sunblower butter.  I love the stuff that I buy in the health food store.  I found this recipe on the internet:


Using raw seeds, shell them by putting them in a cloth bag and punding them gently with the flat side of a hammer.  Don't smash them, just crush them.  When mostly crushed, pour them into cold water and stir a time or two to let the loosened hulls rise to the top.  Skim these off and stir again, as many times as it takes.


When nothing but kernels are left, spread to dry.


Grind seeds in a food processor,(easiest) or a blender.  If seeds seem dry and clumpy, add a little oil, about a quarter teaspoon at a time until you get the right consistency.  Keep mixing until the butter is as smooth as you want it.  You can add salt, salt will keep it better.  Store in the refrigerator.


My seeds aren't quite done yet, but I'm anxious to try this. 


Also, does anyone know how to roast ranch flavored sunflower seeds?  Do you think it would work to soak them in Hidden Valley Mix before roasting?


Have a blessed day,


From Glory Farm

Aug 9, 2007

Tips and Tidbits

We have a 16 year old who tells us constantly "I'm not a morning person" and then lives up to this.  She is GRUMPY.  Here's a solution?  Tea from wild violet flowers.  I haven't tried it yet, but I may insist she try it. 


If you have to sew or mend heavy tarps, tents, canvas or leather and you don't have a thimble, tape a coin to your finger to push the needle through.


Have a pleasant and prosperous day.


From Glory Farm

Aug 7, 2007

Attack of the Killer Zuchinni

In the shadowy depths of my garden lurcks the "mutant zuchinni".  It grows larger and larger, unseen by the locals until at last, unable to conceal itself any longer,  it bursts forth to confront the gardener. (That's me.) The scene isn't pretty and you may want to make sure your children don't read this.  With hatchet and wheelbarrow I go out to battle.  Well, maybe that's a bit of a stretch.  You get the idea. 


These squash were found in my garden.  The one on the left is some kind of zuchinni, I think.  I didn't plant it and there wasn't a garden here last year, so I don't know where it came from.  The one on the right is two squash grown together.  I think it's some kind of summer squash, but I don't which type.  And how would you prepare it?


Here are a couple of pics of my garden.  It's hard to tell what everything is.  I was going to wait to show you until all of the weeds were pulled, but that is so not going to happen.



Also, is it possible to can pesto?  I don't have a canner so it would be open kettle.  And what is the best way to preserve green peppers?  Canning, freezing?


Thanks so much. 


All for His glory.


 

Aug 6, 2007

Why we decided to homeschool

We have two children, 10 and 8, that we homeschool.  We have two others, 16 and 14, that we do not.  We have a blended family and that is why the older two go to public school, their dad refuses to let them be homeschooled, and now that they're older, they say they don't want it either. 


I have always wanted to homeschool.  Initially, it was because I had such bad experiences when I went to school.  Now that I love the Lord, I see so many more reasons.  My husband was homeschooled during highschool and loved the freedom and the experiences he had.  He never doubted that his children would be homeschooled. 


Our homeschooled children see the world much differently than their public schooled peers.  They love fixing tractors and learning the history of things.  They like frequent field trips, stamp, rock, and coin collecting.  They see how things relate to the bible more clearly than a lot of children that we know.  We emphasize making do and being able to utilize what you have to do what you want.  Kind of a MacGuyver type of mentality.


I think I could go on and on about why we homeschool, the opportunity to study what you're interested in, to spend time in prayer and bible study, to get everything done and have no "homework", to do community service as part of school, interacting with people of all ages instead of just your age, the abscence of teasing and the building of God confidence, etc.  After all, we, as parents, are responsible for our children's education.  Not the schools or the teachers.  No matter where your children are educated, the buck stops at you, the parent.


All for His glory.


From Glory Farm

Tips and Tidbits

We never stop learning.  Trouble is, we sometimes stop retaining. I hope by blogging things I'm learning, maybe I'll help to retain them.  At least they'll be there in black and white for me to access, unless my computer crashes.


Did you know that a good way to tell what plug may be fouled out on your tractor is to run it for a little bit, turn it off and feel to see which plug feels coolest?  We've pulled plugs, one by one before to find the culprit.  This is cool.


Also, a poltice of cobwebs will stop the flow of blood.  I've read it works on cows that have just been dehorned.  Considering the amount of cobwebs in our barn, I think we should try this next time.  We cautorized them instead and I know it was quite painful. 


Have a glorious day.


From Glory Farm