Happy Homemaker Monday

Joining Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today:

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today.

I'm still around. . .

I'm up very early today, to get started in the kitchen.  I was up an hour ago, but needed a few cups of coffee to jolt me into work mode.

I have much to do today, and hope to get it done before Hubby gets home.  We have more work to do after he gets home.  I know I am lacking on blog posts, but will make up for it later.  We've been under more stress here at the homestead....

Happy Easter

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

Spring Snow? ~ Tidbits

My daffodils and hyacinths are now buried in snow.  It was just in the 70's yesterday and raining.  Not today.  The high will be barely in the 40's.  

It's Back (in my best sing-song voice)

We went from this on Tuesday.....

 . . . to this on Wednesday.  This is a photo from this morning.   The wind blew the entire day and even blew drifts inside the animal barn.  This part of the horseshoe drive, had 5 foot drifts across by 5:00pm.  Not only did we go from melted snow to piles of snow, we went from 50°F on Tuesday to -10°F wind chill today.   And yes, some water pipes are frozen, but thankfully not my shower (woo hooooo to that!). 

Homesteading Tidbits ~ Ramble of Sorts

Started working on the family history project, and questions were sent out to Aunts and Uncles and parents (like I need another project, right?).    

You may need to grab of cup of coffee or tea to read this.  I didn't intend for it to be so long, but I may not be online this weekend.

Winter and Work are Synonymous

This morning's sunrise was beautiful. The pink stretched for several miles.

The recent 9 inches of snow is about to leave us.  In fact today.  Crazy as it sounds, the rains are due to arrive today.

Winter does not give us a break in physical work here.  My son, the feed and pellet lifter, is working a much unwanted third shift job right now. 

Snowed In and Loving It!

We did get snow on Friday night, but most of it came down all day Saturday.  Thank goodness there was no wind, so drifting was not a problem.  We are getting more snow today too. 

I took advantage of the snowfall, and stayed in and cleaned my bedroom.  I was just getting a table ready for Hubby and I to have a candlelight dinner in there, but work called him away. 

Maintaining a Healthier "Busy"

I have fallen in love with this color combination, and finished this set (bookmark and keychain) for Hubby's sister, for Christmas.  I've already started another set.   

Update:  The yarn I used is Aunt Lydia's cotton #10, Passionata crochet thread. 

We had some interesting weather over the weekend. It feels like the tornadoes were weeks ago, but that was only one week ago.  We are speaking to more and more people, who lost their homes, or parts of their homes in the recent storms.  The weather turned cold, and even some snow on Saturday, but that doesn't stop my chores that need done. Laundry went out on the line, and as you can see, we had a wonderful wind to dry it with.

Crazy Busy by Kevin Deyoung

Do you find yourself constantly checking your e-mail, playing games on your cell phone, or absorbed in the internet for hours at a time?  Is your house a mess, because you are too busy attending other commitments?  Are your days productive at all?  Do you go to bed stressed-out? Are you constantly frustrated with your kids, and/or yelling at them?  Do you feel spiritually drained, but never go in for a refill?

De-Stressing in the Rain & Gettin' a "Do"

I snapped this photo a day before the rain arrived.  Color is blooming all around the home this summer.

 

I took my book, and this time a highlighter and notebook, to the front porch.  Oh, and do you see what else I took out there?  A gourmet lollipop!  Butterscotch.  Yum!

I've made it to "Part 2" in this book now, but I've already checked off several "tests" and feel these questions have been repeated so many times in other books.  So far, I have only been reminded that I have too much stress in my life, and most of it is "Chronic."  I guess I have a lot of work to do.  And many more family meetings.

However, I did realize that I do have a habit of waiting until a time of "crisis" before praying (I bought this book at a Christian bookstore).  So, I took my Bible, dusted off the cover (tsk, tsk), and headed back to the porch.  When I opened it, I found an article I had clipped and tucked inside it.  Here's what it said:

Funny how I needed to read that article, and at that same time.  There will be no more dust on my Bible.

As for knocking out more stress, I think I will be teaching each kid to cook their favorite meals.  Last night I made broiled, mustard crusted cod with spinach/green onion.  They practically lick their plates (all but one daughter who won't eat fish) when I make it.  After my 13 year-old said, "Man I love this fish!" for the third time, I told her "Good, it's time for you to learn how to cook it."

The prep I do for the Farmer's Market is also a stress factor - kids fight, kids want to buy things, they argue during set-up and tear down etc. etc.  Then there is the making of all the items.  I wanted to bring in a new item this week, but after breaking down the cost of sugar, organic apple cider and butter, I could not come up with a price that will still give me back profit, and sell it at a reasonable price (Vinegar Candy).  So, I'm learning to eliminate by breaking down the cost to make things.  I may be cutting out my jams and jellies too, in which I have to buy the fruit for.  I may keep my pear, wild black raspberry, but cut out (and only stock up for home) the others.  Hubby and I are talking about getting a permit, to sell from the roadside instead.  That would eliminate the packing up, fighting, unloading, fighting, and loading again (and fighting) stress.  

In the book Breaking Clean, by Judy Blunt, she talks about how at age 8 (she grew up on a ranch), her fingers hurt so bad she couldn't hold onto a fork at dinner.  She even passed out while working in a potato field.  Now-a-days, most kids complain about having to wash a few dishes or even fold clothes.  I do insist my kids all take on housework, even if it means hearing their mouths jabber on and complain.  I was told by Hubby, that at work, most parents tell him they just do all the work because all the fighting is not worth it.  I beg to differ.  Kids need to learn how to get along, not complain, and not fight, and not argue.  And most of all, take on responsibility in a peaceful manner.  That alone, will reduce my stress in half.

A Mom can dream can't she? 

Oh, and guess what else I found inside my Bible?  He he!  Hand written coupons from my youngest daughter.  Two are for hair-do's from her.  Guess who's gettin' a "do" tonight?  Or maybe two? 

A Little Time

I took a little time to sit on the porch and rest a bit today.  The summer beauty is slowly appearing around the homestead.

Sometimes I have to look at all the "good" to get through all the "bad."

2 Timothy 2:23-25 ESV 

"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth"

 

Happy New Year!

Our family gatherings are over for 2012, and the Christmas decorations come down on the 1st of the new year 2013.  We box up the tree lights, the outdoor lights and the Santa cookie jar.  We box up the stockings and homemade ornaments...until next Christmas.

Happy New Year!

Have a blessed, safe, and prosperous 2013!