Passing on Frugality

Everyone has been passing on frugal tips.  Most of the ones I use have already been posted.  My dd3 showed me just how much she's learning from me the other day.  She goes to visit her mom every other weekend.  They go to the laudromat to wash clothes.  She came home with a pocketful of used dryer sheets last weekend.  I asked her why, when we don't have a dryer.  She said that they still had alot of smell in them and so she was going to use them in her dresser drawers and to put with her clothes when she dries them over the heat ducts.  A regular chip off the....

Also, I use plates and those plastic bags you put vegetables in in the grocery store to put away leftovers in the fridge.  That way I don't have to buy plastic wrap.

Have a blessed night.

From Glory Farm

Organics and Herbs

There are so many interesting things in this world that I have a desire to learn.  I always end up spreading my resources ( brains, strength, faith) too thin.  Our family is starting a truck garden this spring to help pay for our farm.  It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm not planting two acres the first year.  Maybe 1/2 acre.  There's so much I still need to learn about marketing.  The growing part should be fine, but how do I price, bag, display?  I've been reading some good books on this, but I think finding someone who is doing it would be very valuable.

Now I'm looking for information on Christian Natural Healing.  I have many books on using herbs, but I want something more in depth.  I grow alot of herbs and I really enjoy it, but most go to waste, because I don't use them like I should.  Maybe somehow this could go along with our truck garden enterprise.  Maybe I should sit back and listen to God instead of going in all directions?  Maybe the desires of my heart were put there by God? 

Well, better get back to school.  If anyone has any recommendations for courses or books to study, I would really appreciate it.

From Glory Farm

About me......

1.First name:  Rhonda

2. Were you named after anyone?  My dad named me after Rhonda Fleming the movie star.

3. When did you last cry?  Sometime last week.

4.What is your favorite lunch meat?  Leftover chicken.

5.Kids?  Four girls and one boy

6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?  I don't know......

7. Do you have a journal?  A prayer journal.

8. Do you use sarcasm alot?  I hope not.  I've been working on that one for years.

9. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.

10. Would you bungee jump?  I really doubt it.

11. What is your favorite cereal.  Don't do cereal.

12.Do you untie your shoes when you take them off.  In the winter, I do.

13. Do you think you are strong?  Physically I can hold my own.  Otherwise it's a God thing.

14. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?  Don't do ice cream, either.

15. Shoe size? 10

16. Red or pink? Red

17. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?  I'm anxious.  I let things get to me.

18. Who do you miss the most?  My son.

19. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?  Jeans and my honey's sheepskin slippers.

20. What are you listening to right now?  The only sound is our funace running.

21.If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  Yellow

22. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?  My brother.

23. Favorite smell?  Patchouli

24. The first thing  you notice about people that you are attracted to.  Their openess and ability to be real.

25. Do you like the person who sent this to you?  I stole it off of Trina's blog.  Shhh.

26. Favorite drink.  I like coffee.  In the evening, a cappaciuno.  I can't spell.

27. Favorite sport?  Not into sports.

28. Hat size?  Really big. I can't find women's hats that fit.  Have to go to the men's section.  Wonder why they get bigger hats?

29. Do you where contacts? No

30. Favorite food?  Love fish.

31. Scary movies or happy endings?  Happy endings

32. What color shirt are you wearing?  My honey's orange Fleet Farm shirt.

33. Last movie you watched at the movies?  Don't remember.  Ice Age II?

34. Summer or winter?  Summer, but I'm actually an autumn type.

35. Hugs or kisses?  Hugs

36. Favorite dessert?  Hmmm..caramel rolls.

37. Who is the least likely to respond? ????

38. Who is the most likely to respond??????

39. What books are you reading?  The bible and Praying the Word by Beth Moore.

40. What is on your mouse pad?  Clifford the Big Red Dog

41. The furthest you've been from home?  California

42. What's your special talent?  My ability to make a mountain out of a mole hill.  Or else the way I can inhale and make my nose stick together.  (ugh)

43. When and where were you born?  June 20. Duluth, MN

44. What did you watch on TV last night?  We don't get TV.

Well,  That was fun.  Have a blessed day.

From Glory Farm

 

29.

Women's Wit

 Have you read this one?  It's new to me and made me laugh.

 

Subject: Women's Wit

Pregnancy, Estrogen and Women
Pregnancy Q & A & more!

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline 
irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but 
pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in 
labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal 
again?
A: When the kids are in college.

"ESTROGEN ISSUES"
10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE "ESTROGEN ISSUES"
1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: 
"How's my driving-call 1- 800-".
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from "outer space".
8. You can't believe they don't make a tampon bigger than Super Plus.
9 You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND
10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6 Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

AND, the Number One thing only women understand:

1. OTHER WOMEN

Challenge Day 5-Homemade Sour Cream

I've always wondered if you could make sour cream yourself.  We go through so much of it here with potatoes and a lot of Mexican cooking.  Here's a recipe I've found, but I haven't tried it yet.  I'm thinking that in order for it to be cost effective, you'd probably need your own cow or goat.

 

2 cups light cream

2 T. light buttermilk

Combine in a hot glass jar, canning jar. Cover and shake gently to mix.  Let stand in a warm place for 24-48 hours until thickened.  Store in the refrigerator.  This keeps up to three weeks.

Stay warm.

From Glory Farm

Belle's Challenge-The Compost Bin

I haven't tried this, but it's on my list for this spring.  I have a compost pile held in place by woven sheep wire and it just doesn't work for me.  I read about using old shipping pallets.  You take four pallets and stand them up.  Wire them together to form the bin and then just unwire and open like a door when you need to get in there.  One thing we aquired a large amount of when we move in here was shipping pallets.  The man who owned this place worked at Wal-Mart and brought home all kinds of treasures.  Does anyone have any other ideas for using these pallets?  It seems a shame to burn them.

From  Glory Farm

Challenge-Homemade stationary

I used to print out stationary and cards on my printer.  But I grew tired of that.  Have to be too creative.  I like to take pictures, lots of pictures of flowers.  I have them developed and have doubles made.  Then I just use colored cardstock-cut in half-and cut down the 4"x6"pictures to fit the front.  These are easy and unique and seem to be much appreciated. 

Have a nice evening.

From Glory Farm

Challenge-Day 2-Lip Balm

I have two recipes that I'd like to share.  I use them both.  The first is a lip balm recipe.  This isn't lip gloss.  It really makes your lips feel healthy and everytime I use it, it takes away any dryness.

1 T. grated beeswax

1 T. petroleum jelly

1 t. honey

1 T. lanolin

3-4 drops of essential oil (my kids like mint.)

Melt the wax, lanolin and petroleum jelly in a microwave or double boiler.  Add the honey and essential oil.  Stir this until it cools and put into containers. 

Here's the petroleum jelly I use for the above recipe:

1 oz. beeswax

1/2 cup baby or mineral oil

Melt the beeswax in a microwave or a double boiler.  Stir in the mineral oil.  Remove the mixture from the heat and stir until cool.

That's it.

From Glory Farm

 

Crochet Socks

I'm going to try Belle's challenge and post something homesteading.  This is a link to crocheted socks that everybody got for Christmas.www.graftonfibers.com/socks.htm  I changed the pattern a bit and put ribbing after the heel to make them easier to put on.  These are very easy to make and go pretty fast.

Happy crocheting.

From Glory Farm

Oh Blessed Friday

We have been so spoiled this winter.  The forcast says that it's not going to get above freezing for the next few days and I think brrrrr.  I've been reading how it's been unseasonably warm from the Eastcoast through the Midwest.  I could live with this. 

Today, we're making candles in school.  We soaked cotton yarn in boric acid and then we braid it to make the wick.  I'm not sure if we'll use paraffin or beeswax for the candle, maybe a combination. Then we get to go out to the pond to identify animal tracks.  Out in the field there were mouse tracks and then the impression of wings in the snow where an owl had come down to grab it's dinner.  Maybe I should put this stuff on homeschooler's blog.  Our curriculum teaches so many homesteading skills, I just love it.

We sold our pony last night and she's going to a good home.  Somewhere where she'll be ridden alot.  Now if anyone wants to buy a two-year old pinto gelding.....

Best get the kids up.  It's almost nine and they're still sleeping quite soundly.  Late, late start.

Have a blessed day.

Love in the Lord,

From Glory Farm

Moonrise

One more picture.  The moonrise over the hayfield tonight was beautiful.  We had a wonderful snowstorm last night.  About 6".  Left the trees all full of frosting and everything as pretty as a picture.

Enjoy your evening.

The Flour Mill

I just wanted to show you what my dh fetched for me out of the old refer trailer.  This was something I found at the last house we lived at.  I had no idea what it was, just a contraption in the shed.  When we moved, I brought it with.  After telling him how much work my flour mill was, he brought this in the house, washed it up and proceeded to grind me some flour.  It's an Ozark flour mill.  Works great.  I'm so excited.  What a blessing.

The flour mill

Wheat berries in the top and flour comes out the bottom.  Is this what most mills look like?  The motorized one I had before, looked nothing like this.

God bless,

From Glory Farm