Bittersweet day!

Good morning world.  This will probably be short as I have to get the rest of the family up and moving this morning.  We have to be in Springfield at the funeral home before 9:30.  It takes a little more than an hour to get there.  The boys still have chores to do this morning.  I already have a load of laundry going and a few scattered dishes soaking in the sink.

Today is bittersweet.  The boys will get to see family they have not seen in years.  They will get to say goodbye to their much loved Poppa.  They will get to hug Nana's neck.

On the uncomfortable side, their birth mother will be there also.  I have asked her to not talk to the boys.  They are upset enough as it is.  I have also talked to the boys about not talking to her.  This morning when I got up, I might have a change of heart.  I am thinking about taking them and her into a room so they can say hi to each other.  I have told them both that this is not the time or the place for big questions.  That this is a time for Poppa and Nana.  I think it might be good for the boys, maybe.  I think I will just wait to see how I it goes when I get there.

My oldest accused me of being jealous.  After thinking about that for some time, I just might be if I was going to be honest with myself.  If I am going to be honest here, I never wanted the boys to know they were adopted in the first place.  That was difficult to do when we would go to visit Nana & Poppa and their older brother (from a different dad) lived with them.

So I am in a quandry.  The boys' reaction was mixed.  Tommy, was upset and argued with me.  David, was understanding.  P.J. got upset.  I think he was upset because Tommy was upset.  I really do not want the boys upset today or upset with me.  Personally, I have a hard time when it comes to funerals.  I tend to shut down emotionally.  I do not have time to shut down today.  I have to be vigilant and emotionally available to the boys, Nana, others of the family I know.

Jesus, please be with me today.  Show me how to handle each situation as it comes up.  Give the peace that surpasses all understanding to my boys and the family.  Lord, thank you for the blessing of having Poppa in our lives.  I know he is in no pain and walking just fine today.  That and the promise we will see him again is such a blessing!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts an actions,

Elizabeth

Odd day & funeral tomorrow

Good morning world.  Been a different morning.  Hubby has a sinus infection headache and is down for the count.  He slept most of yesterday.  And is probably going to back to bed in a few minutes.  I will be calling a couple of his customers he will not be able to see today.  When Tyler gets home, he and P.J. will be going to fix the couple of A/C problems.

I knew today was going to be a different kind of day when I woke up this morning.  I just could not remember what I needed or wanted to get done today.  All I wanted is coffee.  Got my coffee and spent some time with Patrick.  Been working on scheduling for Pat's Services and paperwork.

I have been thinking about how tomorrow is going to happen.  The funeral is tomorrow for the boys' maternal grandfather.  Their birth mother is going to be there also.  I have had their older brother Christopher talk to her about not really talking to the boys.  I was not sure how clear I was, so I unblocked her from my facebook and sent her a message.  She has looked at it.  However, she has not replied.

I asked her to not even say hi to the boys.  There is going to be a lot of people there as Poppa was well loved and involved in many things, such as church, Casa, and much more.  I figured with that many people, she could stay away from the boys.  I reminded her that it is not about her and it is not about the boys.  I am hoping and praying she will  respect my wishes.

I have also talked to the boys when they asked if she was going to be there.  Tommy wanted to ask her some questions.  I said this is not the time.  Later, I will arrange for them to either talk on the phone or text or something with our supervision.  She lost the right to have contact with them when she did not take care of them as babies.

We had decided early on to let the grandparents to continue in the boys' lives.  Pray for us as we go tomorrow to say good bye to a wonderful man, a husband, dad, grandfather, friend, ex-Navy Seal, mentor, brother in Christ, and so much more!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Decisions made

Good morning world.  Yesterday I was talking with a friend.  She told me about their search for a nice used vehicle.  She has specific things she was looking for and just was not having any luck in her search.  I told her excitedly about the guys finding a transmission to go in a Dodge Neon we bought last summer without a transmission for $400.00. 

 The previous owners needed cash.  It is a 2004 in really good shape, except for the transmission.  The prices we had found was between $300.00 to $800.00.  Tyler found one for $175.00.  I was excited!  It is about 3 hours away.  Even with the gas and time, we are still ahead.

My friend told me I just need to get a part time job so I can get a new car.  I told her I did not want a new car.  I am happy with my van (well, it needs a new fuel pump) and my suburban (drive able but needs a new radiator).  And then the Neon, with the transmission of course.  

Before we got married, Patrick and I discussed my working or staying at home.  He wanted a stay at home wife. The only stipulation was if finances got too tight, I was to help out.  I have worked a couple of times.  For the most part, I have stayed home especially after we got the boys.  

I have found ways over the years to be more frugal in order to help with finances.  Meals from scratch, visits to thrift and "junk" stores, gardening and canning, homemade laundry soap and cleaning supplies, hand me down clothes for the boys, meat from our pigs or hunting, homeschool using free web sites, and so much more.  

Over the years, I have been given grief, for lack of a better word, for some of our decisions; homeschooling the boys, me being a SAHM, going to church or going to a home church, going the courtship route with the boys, not letting them go "running around" with their buddies. I do not know these "buddies", so they do not go anywhere with them.  

I am not saying my friend criticized me for not getting a part time job to buy a new car.  However, I have been in the past for various decisions we have made.  What do I do?  Depending on who the comments come from, I either smile and go about my business or sometimes try to explain. 

Anyway, I am excited to have the car fixed sometime soon.  

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Needing something extra?

Good morning world. We are taking a break from school this week to give the boys time to process the death of their grandfather.  I think this morning is going to be a finish up morning.  I am wanting to finish up a couple of cleaning projects that for one reason or another have not been completed.    I want to get the freezers cleaned out.  I have cleaned out 2, that leaves me 2.

This morning before it gets too hot, the boys are going to be in the garden.  After that it will be time to take Tommy to work.  When I get back home, I am wanting to spend some time in my studio. I still need to work on getting it more organized.  Then I will be painting!  Not sure what as of yet.  If I can get one of the boys to clean the rust off of a circular saw, I am painting that with a field of sunflowers.  With everything I have in there, I am sure I will find some inspiration.  I was thinking of doing a portrait of Poppa and giving it to Nana for Christmas this year.

Going to spend some extra time in the Word today.  Needing some extra something from the Lord today.  It is too easy to blame attitudes and bad moods on the death of a loved one.  I do not think that is what Poppa would want for us, nor is that the way of the Lord.  This can be a time of celebration, after the mourning.

" 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7  ESV

In the quest of being more healthy, I am starting drinking the 2 pitchers of water again.  I had stopped.  Not sure why, just did.  So I will start it again today.

That is about it for today.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Losses and Lessons

Good morning world.  I did not post anything yesterday as it was a sad day for us.  The boys' maternal grandfather passed away.  He, over the years, had become like a second dad to me.

On Saturday, Tyler had taken the boys to the dirt races in West Plains.  Patrick and I, along with one of his friends, had gone to Rogersville, MO to the drag track.  Earlier in the day, I had gotten a call from Nana saying Poppa was in the hospital, that he had a minor heart attack.  They were running tests on him to see the whys.

That evening, I got a text from her telling me to call her.  I did.  We rushed to their house, about 35 mins away or so.  When we got home that night, we had to tell the boys about their Poppa.  One of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

Here is some things I have either learned or been reminded of from all of this.  Get and stay healthy!  Poppa had a leak in his aorta.  Had not been feeling good for a while.  However, he had JUST been to the cardiologist the day before and was pronounced "fine, see you in 6 months".  I personally will be concentrating on my and my families health more.

Stay in touch with extended family.  Patrick's Mom and Dad live in or around our town.  I think it has been since Christmas since we have seen his Mom.  And since June when we saw his Dad last.  His sister lives in Springfield, about 75 miles from us.  Have not seen her since Christmas.  Patrick's other sister lives in Alabama.  We see her about once a year.  Aunts, uncles, and cousins every so often.  My brother and his wife, every so often too.  My Mom and Dad are both gone.  The last time we saw Nana and Poppa?  In January.

I have some talking to do with the extended family and plans to make!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Saturday Plans

Good morning world!  I am so excited!  I get to spend some most of today with Patrick!  With his business being heating/air service and appliance repair, he is busy when it is hot.  So when I get to spend time with him, I tend to get excited.  Twitterpated.

The boys are going to spend the evening with Tyler.  Because of different actions and attitudes of theirs yesterday, they have to earn the right to go with Tyler.  One is mowing, one is weed eating (there is more to that than just a yard, garden fence and field fence line), and one is going to finish blessing the house (the daily swish and swipe of the bathroom, sweep and mopping, clear the dining room table, and vacuuming).

So this morning I get to write this and read some of my favorite blogs.  And get ready for my day.  I wish I knew someone who lives close to me that can french braid my hair.  I have tried to no avail.  I get to a certain point, then my fingers get flustered.

Enjoy your day!  Praying for you today also!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

My family and what a difference a day makes!

Good morning world!  What a difference a day makes!  Yesterday I talked about emotions sometimes getting in the way of getting things done.  Did a lot of praying about it.  Woke up today with a completely different attitude, a good one.  Wanting to get some extra things done today as well as school this morning and blessing the house for the weekend.

P.J. is going to take out my window air conditioner this morning and clean it after school.  The other 2 have to work today, so their extra chores will happen this evening.  I am excited to be able to work in my studio again without feeling like I am in a sweat lodge.  I might spend tomorrow painting!

Tommy pulled beets yesterday before he went to work.  We did not get as many as I had hoped.  He loves pickled beets.  I will have to see if I can plant some more for a fall garden.  Not sure I am wanting to do a fall garden yet.  It looks like I might be loosing the battle of the weeds.  Might spend some time in the garden today also.

David has a new job, his first actual job.  He is working for a farmer just a mile or so down the road.  He is very excited as he is getting his first pay check today.  David is my saver when it comes to money.  He is 16 and wants to save for a four wheeler instead of a truck.  That is just fine by me.

Tyler is still here and looks like he might be for a while.  That is just fine by me also!  I actually love having him around.  The boys listen to him.  They love having their big brother here.  He is a big help to Patrick with Pat's Services.

I just love my boys!  All five of them, can not forget about Patrick.  He has been working so had this past couple of months.  His business is heating & air service and appliance repair.  When the weather finally got hot, he got extremely busy.  He comes home exhausted.  This is one of the many reasons I want to have a clean home for him to come home to and supper ready for him.  He works hard to provide for us.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Emotions get in the way!

Good morning world.  My desire is to have a more old fashioned lifestyle in most everything I do.  Okay, I am not quite ready to give up my facebook account. However.....

I have cleaning schedules I try to keep.  We homeschool.  We are going the courtship route with the boys.  I try to garden enough to have produce for most of the year.  I knit some things.  I am getting ready to dust off my sewing machine.  I cook from scratch almost daily.  (The occasional frozen pizza somehow finds it's way into my kitchen.)  I use mostly homemade cleaners and laundry soap.  At times, I have fixed my face and hair on a daily basis regardless of if I was home for the day or not.  I am frugal in many ways.

So here is my question.  Why do my emotions get in the way?  Mostly if I get upset with Patrick I want to quit doing anything.  Why is that?  I would think that by now, at my age, I would be able to not react or at the very least not stop doing what has been making me happy, blessing my family.

I have been praying for God to show me how keep on going regardless of my feelings.  This does not happen often.  When it does, like yesterday, I do not get much done.

"23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Colossians 3:23-24 NIV 

This is the scripture that keeps coming back to me.  A reminder that my home is my first ministry.

Well, still working on the watermelon rind pickles.  Canning them today.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

School room in the barn?

Good morning world!  My canning season (is there such a thing?) is starting out slower than I anticipated.  I have watermelon rind pickles working.  Mental picture of little watermelon rind pieces with hammers and nails or mops and brooms working.  Sorry today might be a day I get side tracked easily.

Anyway, I am thinking too that the beets are ready or close to ready to be picked.  That means pickled beets.  Unless I buy bushels of produce, the rest of the garden is not quite ready yet.  However, there is always pinto beans to can.  I still need to get a couple of my freezers cleaned out to defrost.  Might be some meat in them I am unaware of.

School this morning is going to be interesting.  Last August we moved the classroom into a section of the barn.  The boys put up insulation (needs a little more to be finished), part of a ceiling, a window where there was none, and this winter a wood stove.  Part of this endeavor they had a little help.  The roof, we found, leaks.  My youngest, P.J. has been working on getting that fixed.  So today, as it is raining, we will see.  Still do not have electricity.  We have an extension cord running to the building.  My desk lamp, a fan, the electric pencil sharpener, and radio is hooked up to that.  Two of the boys have oil lamps by or on their desks for light if needed.  When Patrick's business slows down, he is going to run electricity to the whole barn.

P.J. at his desk.

I keep threatening to move the classroom back into the house.  But truth be known, I like our classroom out there.  The walls are the corragated metal, except for the top part of this wall, it is the old barn wood.  We still have more work to do in there.  It is getting there. 

Be blessed and be a  blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions 

Elizabeth

Canning and gardening

Good morning world!  Another busy day planned here on the farm.  My weekly chore of ironing and mending, one piece to iron and several to mend.  Add school this morning, get the rest of the freezers cleaned out and defrosted, and hopefully canning some pinto beans too.  Ran out of canned beans and they are so handy to have.  Short on time?  Grab a couple of jars of canned beans, one of dry canned rice, and make some cornbread.  Presto, supper is served!

I think I am getting the canning fever!  If I have time, I will be heading out to the blackberry patches to pick blackberries too.  Blackberry cobbler and pie filling, blackberry jam, and blackberry syrup.  Yummy.  Although they are not on my eating plan, my family likes them.

I was chatting with someone on a canning facebook group last night.  She has been canning almost non-stop since Friday.  Sounds like fun to me.  She had a list very long of things she had made and canned.  I was hoping to get my canning shelves filled up with produce from my garden.  Might not happen as the over abundance of rain and flooding has caused my garden to be more of a haven for weeds instead of what we planted.  We will get some, just not as much as I planned.

Do you garden?  Play in the dirt?  I think of it as theraputic.  Almost as much as painting.

The Bible makes references to planting, pruning, sowing and reaping.  So gardening is biblical too, in a sense.  There are at least 24 direct references to a garden in the Bible, not to mention the many references Jesus used in His parables.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5  NIV

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Monday again!

Good morning world.  Spent a little too much time outside yesterday in the garden and in our pool.  I broke down and used some sunscreen.  But probably too late.  That and the sweat probably rinsed it off.  I do not use much sunscreen as sometimes I think we over do it and do not get enough vitamin D the natural way.

The pool is up finally.  And let me tell you, solar heat cannot happen too fast. Well water is a tad chilly.  Combine that with overheated skin.  BRRRR!

Today is a new work week.  Already have the bathroom cleaned, laundry started, and breakfast fixed.  Blessing the house and laundry is on the agenda for today.  Depending on the weather, I will spend some time in the garden too.  If it is rainy, then I will work on some Pat's Services paperwork and either spend some time in my studio or get the sewing machine out and see if I can get it going.

How does your week start out?

I was thinking today about fixing my face and hair again.  I have gotten out of this habit this summer.  I do not wear much make up during the summer.  And my hair is usually put up or braided.  But I miss messing with it and looking "pretty".  Maybe tomorrow.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Blessings and the garden

Good morning world.  Even as messed up as this world is now.  My world is full of blessings!  God has blessed me with family and friends beyond measure.  I do not have physical ailings some have at my age.  Our home is old and needs some things fixed, however, we have a home.  The garden is full of weeds.  However, it is full of good stuff too.  And the weed problem is getting under control.

I was not able to get to my friend's for home church today.  Today will still be a great day.  I will honor the Lord in what I do today.  Will you?

Made a batch of peach preserves finally yesterday.  Thinking I will start the process in making watermelon rind pickles later today.

Also spending more time in the garden today.  Yesterday I found the strawberry plants.  No berries, but at least the plants were still there.  Also a spot I had planted several marigolds.  Hopefully they will be okay in that spot for next year.  Need to weed the peppers next, then the rest of the onions.  Lots to do in there.  And wanting to plant some things for a fall garden too.  Have a couple of rows when they get weeded, I will be doing just that.

Praying for a good start to a great week!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Fun day Saturday!

Good morning world.  I have been up for just over an hour.  I could have slept in, but my body says,"Get up lazy bones!"  Have some things planned for today.  The main goal is to get our pool up and filled.  We have not had a pool up in two or three years.  A couple of weeks ago I ordered a new pool liner.  Yesterday I had some sand delivered.  Today is the day!

I still have a couple of things to take care of in the house.  I am also thinking of making homemade hotdog buns.  I have made homemade hamburger buns and love the recipe.  Thinking of making the same recipe and just forming them differently.  Should work.

Tonight we will have a fire outside by the pool.  Hotdogs and marshmallows on the menu.  For me, however, chicken I am thinking.  Watermelon and cantaloupe also on the menu for today.  Cannot have those either.  I can have fresh salad from the garden!  YUM!

Have some fun today, no matter what you are doing.  The world is getting crazier and crazier!  Make your world count!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Yesterday was a blast!

Good morning world.  Had so much fun yesterday with my friend Susie.  We shopped, shopped, ate, and shopped some more.  Traditionally, I am not much of a shopper.  However, I love junk stores.  We went to some thrift store and also to the mall.  SHOCK!!  I almost never go to the mall.  In 17 years, I have been to the mall 3 times.  And one of those 3 times was last night.

We first stopped at a twenty five cent store.  Yes, almost everything is twenty five cents, unless otherwise tagged.  Four tops and 2 dresses later, we headed out.  Not sure how much Susie bought.

In Springfield, we stopped at Walmart and Home Depot for a couple of things.  I found the color I want to paint the inside of my house.  So excited about that too!  Did not buy paint, just picked up the paint sample papers.

Then hit a couple of thrift and consignment type stores.  Found a skirt that is bright and colorful for $2.50, a half off sale.

A yard sale was in our path, so we had to stop.  Okay, the sign was in our path, it was a block off. Found a great deal for Patrick, a blower motor for $50.00.  When Patrick saw it this morning, he said I did good.  I did call him before buying this, just to make sure.

Stopped for coffee at a place called Hebrews.  Can not remember the name of what I had (I will be asking Susie on Sunday).  I absolutely loved it!   No more sweeteners or sugar in my coffee.  Was just strong coffee, maybe espresso and half & half.  YUM!!!

After all the shopping, no sugar added ice cream, and Popeye's chicken, we headed home.  I got home sometime after midnight.

Now to get busy blessing my house.  I promised pictures.  Tried to blue tooth them to my laptop.  Did not work.  Go I will add them later.  Broom, mop, and laundry is calling my name.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Girl's day out!

Good morning world.  So excited today!  I get a girl's day out with my friend Susie!  Heading to Springfield in a few minutes.  I just looked at the time, so this will be short.

Every once in a while, I need to have a break and just have fun.  Things have been rather intense around here.  A day of junk and thrift storing is just what the doctor ordered.  Lunch out!  What a treat.

Remember to have a fun day or just a day for yourself!  A must in the sanity factor!

Be blessed and be blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

p.s.  I'll take pictures!

The storms and the storms of life.

Good morning world.  I woke up this morning without the headache from yesterday.  Praise God!  I used peppermint essential oil and ibuprofen before I went to bed.  Because I slept part of yesterday away, I will be mending and ironing today as well as deep cleaning the kitchen and bathroom.  Which is what is on the cleaning schedule for today.  I have not been doing real good with the menu planning.  Not sure why.  I am usually good about this job.  I like knowing what is for dinner at the very least.

We had a storm turn up yesterday that was not in the forecast, and it was a doozy!  As soon as it hit, we had about 60 mph straight line winds.  Knocked off some shingles from the roof as well as the vent and vent covers.  One cover hit Tommy's truck windshield, bounced right by David's head who was in the back of the truck.  It just missed him by an inch or so.  Praise God again!  This storm had messed with Patrick's work schedule as he had things to fix on the roof.

What happens when the storms of life gets us off track of what we are wanting or needing to do?  Sometimes I roll with the winds, such as yesterday, and slept through the headache.  Did I mention our electricity was out.  That would have only hindered the ironing.  I still could have mended.  Sometimes my schedule gets out of kilter.  I do not get things done.

Other times I am grateful for the routines and schedules that seem to keep me grounded.  The regular routines of washing my face and brushing my teeth.  Making my bed.  Laying out my clothes for the next day.  These habits can be good to have when the storms of life hit.  Doing something.  Even the habit of praying in the early mornings.  My quiet time with the Lord is such a comfort in the stormy times of life.  Knowing He is here with his love, grace, mercy, and peace.

"39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."  Mark 4:39  NIV

Sometimes He calms the storms of life, sometimes He walks with us through the storm.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Are you INVISIBLE?

Good evening world!  It is not morning.  Got busy with several things today and had not had time to sit, except to fold clothes.

Have you ever felt invisible to your family?  You start to say something and are interrupted.  Or you are in the middle of explaining something important to you and your spouse asks,"who took the last of the coffee and did not turn it off?"  That was my weekend.

After spending the day with the Griswold's and home church, I felt much better.  Even though my world pretty much revolves around my family, I needed some time with my friends to get some perspective.  Is it a girl thing?  Maybe, maybe not.

I decided to  remember that if my boys get into trouble, it was their choice not mine.  They are responsible for their actions.  AND they are also and first God's children before mine.  Just as I needed to remember that for them, I had to remember that for myself.  I AM responsible for my actions AND reactions.

Now my emotions get in the way as they did over the weekend.  But it is my responsibility to reign them in.  When I have a hard time doing just this, it is my responsibility to ask God to help.  With God's help I was able to show my boys some grace today.  Regardless of how they act or react to me, I reminded myself to be kind and show some mercy. We all in general had a better day, I think.

 "8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Just some bits and pieces

Good morning world.  I did not make the preserves yesterday.  However, the peaches are peeled and in the freezer awaiting to be processed.  For a couple of days now, I have had to do some extra resting as my blood pressure had been up some with the things going on with my boys.  Last night, I think, was the first night I have slept straight through since Tuesday.

Today is a busy day.  For a couple of hours we will be at the local park.  Then the boys are going to put some black stuff on the roof of the classroom so it will not leak anymore.  For a couple of days, we did not have school in there because it was leaking on my desk and chair.  Kind of hard to concentrate when water is dripping on your head.

I am going to mow.  The boys are weed eating.  I guess after that we will be in the garden.  I am almost afraid to see how much more it has turned into a jungle since the rains this week.

Also, I am thinking we might be turning the air conditioner back on today.  Probably should have done so  yesterday.  It is muggy in here.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Burned the peaches!

Good morning world.  *Sigh*  Burned the peaches yesterday.  I guess I am not meant to do the long recipe of peach preserves.  I would get busy doing other things and forget about the pot of peaches on the stove simmering.  If I had not stirred the pot, the scorched taste would not have been in all of the peaches and some might have been salvageable.  *Sigh*

So guess what I am doing today...  More peach preserves.  This time the regular recipe, cooking it all at once.  This time, I will take pictures. I also have elderberries to process.  They have been in the freezer since last fall.  I am going to make a syrup out of them, I think.

So another day in the kitchen.  Although obviously I was not in the kitchen when I should have been.  I will be blessing the house today too.  To get ready for what ever the weekend brings.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my actions and thoughts,

Elizabeth

Peaches.

Good morning world.  Yesterday afternoon I started on the peaches.  I found a new peach preserve recipe to try.  I found it at natashaskitchen.com. It is a slower process than most.  I thought it would be worth the extra time.

I am also wanting to make peach butter.  I make apple butter in the fall using my crock pot.  Why not make peach butter.

Completely lost track of the days.  I am wondering if it is too late for blueberry picking at the blueberry farm.  Blackberries are getting ripe.  I love blackberry picking, even with the ticks and chiggers.  Chiggers do not seem to like me so I really do not worry about them.  Anyway, I am determined to make enough jelly and preserves so I will not have to buy any this year and hopefully not at all.

I still need to get some baking done today as it is not hot at all,  Bread, biscuits, and a peach cobbler has been requested for tonight.  The peach cobbler, not the bread and biscuits.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

TEENAGERS!!!

Good morning world.  Life is not always peaches and cream and rainbows for anyone.  I would be delusional if I thought every day would go by just smoothly without any bumps or wrinkles.   We are all human after all.  God gave us the gift of free will.

Do any of you have teenagers?  I have 3 boys, ages 15, 16, and 17.  I will not go into the details of our day yesterday.  However, I can tell you it was a day that began with a phone call at 4:30 am.  It did not end until after 10 pm last night.

All I can say is I am praising God through it all for many many reasons.  The boys have lost privileges and our trust for now.  It is a hard lesson for them to learn.

What I am learning is how different each of them are in how they are reacting to all of this.  One still has an attitude and probably really does not think he should be in trouble.  The other two are remorseful in different ways.  One of the two makes me think he is remorseful not for his deed, but because he got caught.

I think of when I mess up, how our heavenly Father corrects, He still loves me.  My parents are where I have learned to be a parent.  My Dad was a good parent, I always knew he loved me.  My mother was sometimes conditional with her love.  Both of my parents grew up in an orphanage.  They did not have role models of parents to learn from.  They did the best they could.  Because God is my heavenly Father,   I have learned some things from Him on parenting.

"3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."  1 John 3:1  NIV

On with school and our schedule!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Monday's Schedule!

Good morning world!  Happy Monday to you all!  Up and at it this morning.  Laundry started.  School in a few minutes.  List made for the day.  The only thing added to the list is making and canning peach preserves and peach pie filling.  I have 2 bushels of peaches to process.  Some will go into the fridge to be eaten.  

My weekly old fashioned cleaning schedule for today is laundry and blessing the house.  A load of laundry is done daily.  However on Monday's I wash sheets and towels too.  Also I do not do a load of laundry on Sundays.  Blessing the house is getting it ready for the week, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom (a daily swish and swipe makes this a quick job), picking up where needed.  

The boys' daily chores take care of things like trash, which is taken out daily.  Kitty litter is scooped daily.  And the third son puts away dishes from the drainer mornings and evenings.  

Have a productive day all!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Yes, another extra person at our house!

Good morning world.  Praying all is safe, not only with yesterday's fireworks but the rest of the weekend.  We had friends over, grilled, had buckets filled with fun stuff for the little ones, sparklers at dusk, bottle rockets for the big kids, and big fireworks for all.  Fun day, especially since Tyler was here.  He served 3 tours in the middle east.  I am very proud of him!

I know I said I would not have anyone else staying with us unless God hit me over the head.  Never say never.  Tyler and I have been talking for several months.  About the time he needed a little help, so did Patrick with his business.  He has been here for just over a week now and it has been great.  The boys consider him one of their brothers as Patrick and I consider him one of our sons.  Old wounds have healed.  God is so good!

Looking forward to this week, school, regular routines, gardening.  Sigh. That is a sigh of contentment.  I am content with my life and family.  Love them so much!  I praise God for my life and family!

"17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not quench the Spirit;…"  1 Thessalonians 5: 17-19

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Two - two ingredient cleansers that really work!

Good morning world.  I was productive yesterday in spite of how I was feeling.  I want to share with you a couple of things I did.  I forgot to take pictures.  Going to have to get better with that.  

First I was in the kitchen.  After washing breakfast dishes, I made a mixture of oil and baking soda.  I did not have any vegetable or mineral oil, so I used baby oil.  Probably one part oil to two parts or possibly three parts baking soda.

I took stuff off the wall above the stove.  You know the stuck on grease spatters that you have to scrub and scrub?  I used this 2 ingredient combo and it came off like nothing else!  I always dread cleaning that part of the wall!  AND did not even attempt it during spring cleaning this year.  Now it's really clean!  I also used it to clean off the stuff I have hanging up there and it worked!  So excited!

I also used it on the wood cabinet doors closest to the stove.  Cleaned them too!  And in no time!

Second, I decided to work on a couple of stains in my living room carpet.  I cleaned them a few months ago, but with the traffic and probably coffee spills, they were back in full force.  A friend told me recently about another 2 ingredient cleaning mixture:  club soda and blue dawn dish soap.

I put both ingredients in a spray bottle, gently shook it.  Took a couple of white towels and went to work.  I sprayed it on the stains, Let it sit for a bit.  Sprayed a little more on them and gently scrubbed.  I know you are not suppose to scrub carpet.  It was more like a severe blotting.  A lot of the stains came up and some of them completely came up.  I was at a point that I needed to make some more and was wanting to  get something else done.  I will work on it some more today.

Unfortunately, I did not get any baking done for two reasons.  One, I was really upset about Jack and did not feel like baking.  Two, by the time I felt like baking it was in the afternoon and a little warm in the kitchen.  Still do not have the air conditioner on.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

A sad day on the Moorhead farm!

Good morning world.  I am really sad today.  Jack, my horse, is still alive.  However, he is doing not so good and is going to be put down this morning.  I would love to run away for the day.  Will not happen though.  So I will keep busy.

Before I got back here to finish writing this, Jack was sent on to greener pastures.  I made sure I was inside after telling Jack goodbye.  I cried with my puppy in my arms.  The boys came in my room one at a time to give me hugs and tell me they love me.  Then Tommy came in upset.  The boys have not seen their Dad cry very much.  And Patrick was crying too.  A sad day on the Moorhead farm.

The boys are now digging a grave.  Patrick and Tyler are getting ready to leave for work.  I have been in the kitchen washing breakfast dishes and cleaning.  Getting ready to bake, I guess.  Yesterday I forgot about Wednesday all together.  So today as I bake, I will clean out the fridge and things like that, I would have done them yesterday had I remembered Wednesday.

I am also getting peaches today when I take Tommy to work.  Want to make peach preserves for Patrick.  He loves peaches.  Even thinking about making peach wine.  Not sure about that yet.

Be blessed y'all! And be a blessing!

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Did not go as planned

Good morning world.  Absolutely nothing I planned yesterday got accomplished.  We ended up in the field with our horse, Jack.  He is down and not getting up.  I went to get a friend to help with him.  We stopped in 2 places to get medicine and such.  Had Tyler and a neighbor helping.  Each time Patrick thought about putting him down, Jack would sit up and try to get  up.  I am not sure what is going to happen today.  Yet.

Also, 2 of my boys are still with my brother and his wife helping with hay and such.  They have been gone for 3 days now.  I am glad they could help out.  However, I am ready for them to be home.

So today, I will be ironing and mending, as well as doing some baking.  Tommy is going to help by baking some cookies.  The rest of the things I was going to do yesterday will have to wait as it is raining now.  Suppose to be raining on and off for a few days.  Can not use the solar dryer when it is raining.

Have a great and productive day all!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth