This is not going to be a fun semester.....*sigh*
Monday, January 9, 2012
School....
Well today was the first day for my online classes. I can honestly say that I am NOT excited about my anatomy and physiology class. On Christmas eve I came home to find my books waiting for me on my front porch. Picture this...here I am all excited to look at what I have to do, I open the first box and pull out a vacuum sealed bag with a fetal pig in it. I gag, yell for my husband and make him take it. I reluctantly pull out the next item and find a jar containing a sheep's eyeball and brain. I almost start crying knowing that I am going to have to touch these nasty things. DH is standing there looking at me wondering what he is supposed to do with them. They are currently sitting on my water softener in the garage. There is no way I am having that crap where I can see it on a daily basis. YUCK!!
This is not going to be a fun semester.....*sigh*
This is not going to be a fun semester.....*sigh*
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
What If?
It has been quite a while since my last post, and I would like to apologize for that. With school, and sick kids thing have gotten a little more difficult. But enough of that...
I was thinking today about what the future may hold for my family. I was thinking about a lot of "what ifs". What if food prices went up so high that we could no longer afford to make our weekly trip to the store? What if DH lost his job, how would we survive? The list goes on and on. So My Sweet Little Homestead goals this year go right along with my "what ifs".
1. First and foremost I would like my family to grow closer to God. With everyone being sick we got a little out of the habit of getting up early on Sunday mornings and going to church. I have so much growing to do and I know the only way to do it is through Christ. One thing I want more than anything is to raise good Christian children. I see so many kids today who have no idea who Jesus even is and it saddens me. Ever since I can remember my family went to church on Sundays. It may have been a fight to get out the door, but we went.o matter what. I know that is why my family is so wonderful and strong today. I want this for my husband and children, and not to mention myself.
2. I would really like to get chickens in the spring. In fact, that is our plan. I'm thinking that 8 chickens, 4 RIR and 4 barred rocks, should do us just fine. As I have previously stated, I already have drawn up a rough draft of a plan I would like to go off of. It is very simple, but will do just fine for our small yard.
3. I would LOVE to have a huge garden this year. I have already been looking at seed catalogs day dreaming about our first garden at our new home. I know I want to have lots and lots of green beans. We go through a lot and DH cannot stand to eat store bought. I also want to can my own pasta sauce again. Salsa has been something I have been thinking about, as well as pickles. I'm sure there are other things, I just can't think of them right now.
4. I'm wanting to be more organized this year. Our house is a mess. I have to be one of the most unorganized people in the world. I can organize everything, but within 12 hours it is worse than it was to begin with. This is something I desperately need to work on.
5. Being a full time student and a full time mom to twins is hard. This last semester I got really off track when everyone got sick. I need more structure. I'm sure that fulfilling # 4 will really help with this.
6. I need to learn to suck up my pride and ask for help with the kids. My mother has offered many time to take the kids so I can study and do homework but I have always refused. I guess I feel like I'm the one who had the kids and decided to go to school full time so I should just have to deal with it. I have got to get over this. I'm not super woman, I can't do it all!!!!
7. I want to try and make as many of our products I possibly can. I already make all of out Laundry detergent, but I know there is more that I can do. I have a stockpile of free soaps, so when they run out I would like to try my hand at soap making.
8. We would really like to cut back on spending and get some savings built up. If something were to happen right now, we would have nothing to fall back on. We need to stop frivolous spending and put that money away in case of an emergency.
I know that these things are all possible, lets just pray that I can keep up with school anddo everything I have planned......wow, I have a big year ahead of me.
Also posted on Homestead barn Hop #43
I was thinking today about what the future may hold for my family. I was thinking about a lot of "what ifs". What if food prices went up so high that we could no longer afford to make our weekly trip to the store? What if DH lost his job, how would we survive? The list goes on and on. So My Sweet Little Homestead goals this year go right along with my "what ifs".
1. First and foremost I would like my family to grow closer to God. With everyone being sick we got a little out of the habit of getting up early on Sunday mornings and going to church. I have so much growing to do and I know the only way to do it is through Christ. One thing I want more than anything is to raise good Christian children. I see so many kids today who have no idea who Jesus even is and it saddens me. Ever since I can remember my family went to church on Sundays. It may have been a fight to get out the door, but we went.o matter what. I know that is why my family is so wonderful and strong today. I want this for my husband and children, and not to mention myself.
2. I would really like to get chickens in the spring. In fact, that is our plan. I'm thinking that 8 chickens, 4 RIR and 4 barred rocks, should do us just fine. As I have previously stated, I already have drawn up a rough draft of a plan I would like to go off of. It is very simple, but will do just fine for our small yard.
3. I would LOVE to have a huge garden this year. I have already been looking at seed catalogs day dreaming about our first garden at our new home. I know I want to have lots and lots of green beans. We go through a lot and DH cannot stand to eat store bought. I also want to can my own pasta sauce again. Salsa has been something I have been thinking about, as well as pickles. I'm sure there are other things, I just can't think of them right now.
4. I'm wanting to be more organized this year. Our house is a mess. I have to be one of the most unorganized people in the world. I can organize everything, but within 12 hours it is worse than it was to begin with. This is something I desperately need to work on.
5. Being a full time student and a full time mom to twins is hard. This last semester I got really off track when everyone got sick. I need more structure. I'm sure that fulfilling # 4 will really help with this.
6. I need to learn to suck up my pride and ask for help with the kids. My mother has offered many time to take the kids so I can study and do homework but I have always refused. I guess I feel like I'm the one who had the kids and decided to go to school full time so I should just have to deal with it. I have got to get over this. I'm not super woman, I can't do it all!!!!
7. I want to try and make as many of our products I possibly can. I already make all of out Laundry detergent, but I know there is more that I can do. I have a stockpile of free soaps, so when they run out I would like to try my hand at soap making.
8. We would really like to cut back on spending and get some savings built up. If something were to happen right now, we would have nothing to fall back on. We need to stop frivolous spending and put that money away in case of an emergency.
I know that these things are all possible, lets just pray that I can keep up with school anddo everything I have planned......wow, I have a big year ahead of me.
Also posted on Homestead barn Hop #43
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Really at Wal-Mart?
On Monday I spent the day in Franklin, Indiana with a good friend of mine. We had a wonderful time hanging out with each other. After we were done with what we went there to do, we decided to go to Wal-Mart. I would just like to say that I hate Wal-Mart. It is really all there is in my small town, and they know it so prices are higher and they do not treat the customer with and respect at all (even though we are who pays their bills). Anyways, I may have found a new appreciation for Wally World. While there I just "had" to go to the baking supplies and day dream, and you'll never guess what I found......WHEAT BERRIES!! I was very surprised it made me think that maybe it's just my Wal-Mart that stinks so bad.
This wonderful find has made me realize how much I have changed in the past few years. I no longer go straight to shoes or purses (I do still go right to the books and crafts) I now go to the baking aisle. I don't get excited about a pair of heals on sale or a new "cool" purse. Instead, I almost have a heart attack over wheat berries. I was so excited I could hardly breath. I called DH out of breath and so excited I could hardly ask if it was ok to buy them. (I didn't need to ask permission, but I just wanted him to be ok with this new adventure) He, of course, said it was ok, and I spent $13.98 on a 25lb bag. I have no idea if that is a good deal or not, but it was the only time I have seen them without going to the mill.
I came home and started looking for a way to grind these bad boys up and no such luck....after moving I seem to be missing one piece of every small kitchen appliance I own. Not to be discouraged I head to my moms. Anything can be accomplished at mom's house. First I tried the food processor, I think it would have worked, but I don't have that kind of time. Next was a coffee grinder, it worked well, but was way too small. Finally I pulled out the blender. It worked great!!! It is a little bit course, but I still made my own flour darn it!! My moms is very sophisticated and had lots of fancy buttons that mine does not have, so I'll have to experiment when I find the pieces to mine.
Of course I HAD to make something with my freshly ground flour, so my mother and I had pizza. I used my normal recipe, but this time I put my wheat in place of just over 1/2 of the flour in the recipe. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! The texture was perfect, it was nice and moist fluffy and filling. I ate 2 pieces and I was very very full. It was strange, I was super full, but I never got to the miserable full that I normally get.
The next day I had my friend and her children come over for dinner with my babies A and B and two of my step kids R and Z. Since she was the one with me when I made my find I had to make her something with it. I made dinner rolls and once again used whole wheat in place of about 1/2 of the flour. They were really good. I had never made dinner rolls before and I must say that my first try was a success. It is not very often that I get something right on the first try so I am very proud of myself. My friend loved them and so did the kids. It made me so happy that something I put so much effort in came out so good. (If you read about my bread fiasco you should understand) I lost my charger for my camera so I couldn't take pics, sorry....I'll have to take some as soon as I find it.
Well I guess I have rambled enough for today, I'll let everyone get back to their lives again.
This wonderful find has made me realize how much I have changed in the past few years. I no longer go straight to shoes or purses (I do still go right to the books and crafts) I now go to the baking aisle. I don't get excited about a pair of heals on sale or a new "cool" purse. Instead, I almost have a heart attack over wheat berries. I was so excited I could hardly breath. I called DH out of breath and so excited I could hardly ask if it was ok to buy them. (I didn't need to ask permission, but I just wanted him to be ok with this new adventure) He, of course, said it was ok, and I spent $13.98 on a 25lb bag. I have no idea if that is a good deal or not, but it was the only time I have seen them without going to the mill.
I came home and started looking for a way to grind these bad boys up and no such luck....after moving I seem to be missing one piece of every small kitchen appliance I own. Not to be discouraged I head to my moms. Anything can be accomplished at mom's house. First I tried the food processor, I think it would have worked, but I don't have that kind of time. Next was a coffee grinder, it worked well, but was way too small. Finally I pulled out the blender. It worked great!!! It is a little bit course, but I still made my own flour darn it!! My moms is very sophisticated and had lots of fancy buttons that mine does not have, so I'll have to experiment when I find the pieces to mine.
Of course I HAD to make something with my freshly ground flour, so my mother and I had pizza. I used my normal recipe, but this time I put my wheat in place of just over 1/2 of the flour in the recipe. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! The texture was perfect, it was nice and moist fluffy and filling. I ate 2 pieces and I was very very full. It was strange, I was super full, but I never got to the miserable full that I normally get.
The next day I had my friend and her children come over for dinner with my babies A and B and two of my step kids R and Z. Since she was the one with me when I made my find I had to make her something with it. I made dinner rolls and once again used whole wheat in place of about 1/2 of the flour. They were really good. I had never made dinner rolls before and I must say that my first try was a success. It is not very often that I get something right on the first try so I am very proud of myself. My friend loved them and so did the kids. It made me so happy that something I put so much effort in came out so good. (If you read about my bread fiasco you should understand) I lost my charger for my camera so I couldn't take pics, sorry....I'll have to take some as soon as I find it.
Well I guess I have rambled enough for today, I'll let everyone get back to their lives again.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Trick or Treat!!
This year, since the twins are now 1 year old, we went trick or treating. I hadn't planned on taking them, but a friend of mine wanted to go, so i figured what the heck...it will be fun. And it was!! I haven't been trick or treating in about 8 years. I forgot how much fun it was. Apparently the people passing out candy do not like 1 year old trick or treaters. they kept saying how I was going to eat all the candy. Well I would just like to say that I only ate the Kit Kat's and I gave the rest to my step kids.
Guess what................Baby B is WALKING!! It's not fair, where did my little 4 pound baby go? Now that she is walking I know it will only be a matter of time before they are both up and running. And I mean RUNNING!!! Baby B is so cute when she gets excited and tries to run. She falls flat on her belly and laughs as hard as she can.
This weekend I had my 2 younger step children. I was tired of sitting around, but with the twins having colds we couldn't really go outside to do much. So we made butter. I just took some heavy whipping cream and put it in a mason jar and had them shake the life out of it. They thought it was the best thing ever. After making and trying our butter the oldest kept asking when I was getting a cow. As much as I would like a milk cow, I don't think my 1/4 acre lot could handle it. Today we went to my sisters house for a house warming party. As I have said, I plan on getting chickens in the spring, and my sister has chickens. I didn't know how my step kids would like them, so we gave it a try today. The oldest loved them. She got right in there with them and petted one. She said she can't wait for us to get them so she can help me feed them and collect the eggs. Now if only I could get some more materials for my "free" chicken coop .
Is this what the candy goes in mom??
Sorry Sis..this ones mine.
Come on guys....your wasting time!!
Guess what................Baby B is WALKING!! It's not fair, where did my little 4 pound baby go? Now that she is walking I know it will only be a matter of time before they are both up and running. And I mean RUNNING!!! Baby B is so cute when she gets excited and tries to run. She falls flat on her belly and laughs as hard as she can.
Every time I snap the picture she stopped...oh well she's cute anyways
Just because he's so darn cute,and I can't take pictures of one without getting a few
of the other one too..
Thursday, October 27, 2011
They Won't Stop Growing!!!
A week ago my family and I celibrated the twins first birthday! I know i should have posted this a week ago, however, with party planning and school i tend to get a little behind. Anyways, the twins woke up to cake and presents for breakfast. I had never seen baby A more excited about anything. He was COVERED in icing! He loved it! Baby B, however, tried to grab her candle realized it was just a touch warm lol. She didn't get burnt but I think it scared her. She wouldn't touch her cake after that and I had to grab a fork and feed it to her.
It was a great day! They loved it! Mommy it a a little sad though....my babies are growing up! It won't be long until they are starting school.....
Baby B was 4 lbs. and 11 ozs. and was 18 in long.
It was a great day! They loved it! Mommy it a a little sad though....my babies are growing up! It won't be long until they are starting school.....
The night before my c-section
Baby A
Baby A was 4 lbs. and 8 oz and 18 inches long
Baby B
Baby B was 4 lbs. and 11 ozs. and was 18 in long.
My Sweet little twins!
Baby A and his cake!
Baby A now weighs 22 lbs!! and is 29 1/4 inch long!! He is mommy's little "tank"
Baby B and her cake!
Baby B is now 18 lbs and 28 inches long!! Looking at her now, you never would think that she was the bigger one!!
Baby A after his cake!! (he loved it!!)
Baby B was not nearly as into it as Baby A.
Needless to say it was a wonderful day. We also got baths right away. Baby A had icing in his ear, I didn't think we would ever get them clean.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Baking.....A LOT!
Sorry I have been MIA for a few days. I have been busy baking and doing school work. I am going in school hoping to get in the nursing program. I have always wanted to be a nurse. It just seems to be my calling. I love to take care of people and pray that I can do well enough in school to make it. The nursing programs at my school of choice is very competitive. It seems like everyone in my generation wants to be a nurse. Hopefully I am one of the lucky few that make it into the program.
Now to let everyone know what I have been up to.
Well, I have been taking care of baby A and Baby B. They have both been sick. I hate not being able to fix them! Baby B would just lay her head down on my chest and whimper. Now they are both back to their mischievous-selves. However, now that they are back 100% My darling hubby (DH) is sick. It turns out her has bronchitis and pleurisy. I figured the had bronchitis. He gets it every year, but the pleurisy was a surprise. He is now done with his meds, but is still in a lot of pain. Poor guy! He is pumping himself with pain killers to try to get through his nights at work, and praying he doesn't have to work over. Hopefully he will be better soon,.
I have been great though (I got my flu shot!!).
DH and I went to Sams Club a few weeks ago and bought me some baking supplies. When making the Artisan Bread I didn't have any yeast. I do however have wonderful neighbors do have yeast lol. I NOW HAVE YEAST! A pound of yeast to be more accurate. I also have 25 lbs of sugar and of flour. I have been putting it to good use too.
I made some cinnamon rolls the other day. They were wonderful. I used half AP flour and half whole wheat flour. They turned out great and I will definitely be making them again, very soon. you can find them here.
I also made some bread. I am apparently having issues with my bread baking. I have made bread before. This is not my first rodeo. Well I made this recipe 3 times and not once did it turn out right. The first time it rose in the bowl but wouldn't rise int he pan. Very frustrating! I baked it anyways hoping it would rise a little in the oven, but no such luck. I ended up with the hard little brick of what I would be ashamed to call bread. The second time I forgot the oil. I wish I could blame this on someone else, but no, the twins were napping so this one was all me. The got be super frustrated so i tossed it and started fresh. The last time it all went great! I didn't forget anything, it rose both times wonderfully. I baked it, it smelled great! I went to the oven to get it out and the darn thing fell!!!!!! GRRRRR!!!!!!!!! Not happy! I kinda wanted to cry. I called my mommy almost in tears and she said i let it rise too long. Ok...I can fix that! Next time keep a closer eye and try not to get distracted.
I also made an Amish Friendship bread starter. I am very excited about this! I haven't had it in forever. I can't wait until my 10 days are up so I can make it!!!
And lastly to prove to myself and DH that I can bake I made pizza. I had never made pizza crust before so I was really taking a chance here. but it was great!!!I got 6 thumbs up!! (DH, Baby A, and I, Baby B was sleeping) I took this recipe and cut in half. It was a little thicker than I liked so next time I'll make bread sticks out of it too. I got it here
2 Tbls yeast
2 1/4 C warm water
3/4 tsp salt
6 1/2 C flour
Knead all these together until a soft elastic dough forms.
Let rise 30 minutes
Divide into 3 or 4 parts.
Roll and press out onto 3 or 4 greased cookie sheets or pizza pans
Top with sauce, toppings, and cheese
Bake at 450 for about 10 minutes
Thanks for reading!!
Sweet Mama
Now to let everyone know what I have been up to.
Well, I have been taking care of baby A and Baby B. They have both been sick. I hate not being able to fix them! Baby B would just lay her head down on my chest and whimper. Now they are both back to their mischievous-selves. However, now that they are back 100% My darling hubby (DH) is sick. It turns out her has bronchitis and pleurisy. I figured the had bronchitis. He gets it every year, but the pleurisy was a surprise. He is now done with his meds, but is still in a lot of pain. Poor guy! He is pumping himself with pain killers to try to get through his nights at work, and praying he doesn't have to work over. Hopefully he will be better soon,.
I have been great though (I got my flu shot!!).
DH and I went to Sams Club a few weeks ago and bought me some baking supplies. When making the Artisan Bread I didn't have any yeast. I do however have wonderful neighbors do have yeast lol. I NOW HAVE YEAST! A pound of yeast to be more accurate. I also have 25 lbs of sugar and of flour. I have been putting it to good use too.
I made some cinnamon rolls the other day. They were wonderful. I used half AP flour and half whole wheat flour. They turned out great and I will definitely be making them again, very soon. you can find them here.
I also made some bread. I am apparently having issues with my bread baking. I have made bread before. This is not my first rodeo. Well I made this recipe 3 times and not once did it turn out right. The first time it rose in the bowl but wouldn't rise int he pan. Very frustrating! I baked it anyways hoping it would rise a little in the oven, but no such luck. I ended up with the hard little brick of what I would be ashamed to call bread. The second time I forgot the oil. I wish I could blame this on someone else, but no, the twins were napping so this one was all me. The got be super frustrated so i tossed it and started fresh. The last time it all went great! I didn't forget anything, it rose both times wonderfully. I baked it, it smelled great! I went to the oven to get it out and the darn thing fell!!!!!! GRRRRR!!!!!!!!! Not happy! I kinda wanted to cry. I called my mommy almost in tears and she said i let it rise too long. Ok...I can fix that! Next time keep a closer eye and try not to get distracted.
I also made an Amish Friendship bread starter. I am very excited about this! I haven't had it in forever. I can't wait until my 10 days are up so I can make it!!!
And lastly to prove to myself and DH that I can bake I made pizza. I had never made pizza crust before so I was really taking a chance here. but it was great!!!I got 6 thumbs up!! (DH, Baby A, and I, Baby B was sleeping) I took this recipe and cut in half. It was a little thicker than I liked so next time I'll make bread sticks out of it too. I got it here
2 Tbls yeast
2 1/4 C warm water
3/4 tsp salt
6 1/2 C flour
Knead all these together until a soft elastic dough forms.
Let rise 30 minutes
Divide into 3 or 4 parts.
Roll and press out onto 3 or 4 greased cookie sheets or pizza pans
Top with sauce, toppings, and cheese
Bake at 450 for about 10 minutes
Thanks for reading!!
Sweet Mama
Monday, October 3, 2011
My wonderful Sister!
Last night I went to my sister Carrie's house. We had a wonderful visit and, like most times we see each other, I left with some awesome recipes. A few weeks ago she told me about an artisan bread she was making. At the time it sounded good but i had no interest in trying it out. However in the last few weeks I have decided that there is absolutely no reason for me to buy things i can make myself.
She gave me a recipe a while back for taco seasoning and my husband and I LOVE it! So here it is.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons chili powder
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon onion powder (we use dried minced onion)
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon and 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
I just stir it all together and put it in a cheese shaker. When i make tacos (about once a week) i just shake a bunch on it until i think it smells right (great measuring right?)
Today I made the bread she told me about you can find the recipe here. It was very easy and smells wonderful! I tried to take pictures as i went along so you could see how it looked. I have no idea if it looked right but it seems to be OK. I did not have a bowl large enough, so I used the pan I got in the hospital when i had the twins....don't worry I washed and sanitized it lol
She gave me a recipe a while back for taco seasoning and my husband and I LOVE it! So here it is.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons chili powder
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon onion powder (we use dried minced onion)
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon and 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
I just stir it all together and put it in a cheese shaker. When i make tacos (about once a week) i just shake a bunch on it until i think it smells right (great measuring right?)
Today I made the bread she told me about you can find the recipe here. It was very easy and smells wonderful! I tried to take pictures as i went along so you could see how it looked. I have no idea if it looked right but it seems to be OK. I did not have a bowl large enough, so I used the pan I got in the hospital when i had the twins....don't worry I washed and sanitized it lol
This is what it looked like After I mixed it all together
The dough half way through the rising process
My dough ball before rising.
After rising and I cut the slits in the top.
It's DONE!! Ok, so it doesn't look like the one on the website, but I'm proud of myself!
She gave me other recipes and as I try them out I will update.
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