In the kitchen...

I've been able to spend some extra time in the kitchen this week and here's some of what I've done....

 

We pulled up the basil that is flowering for the second time and I decided to just go ahead and make some frugal pesto even though I've heard that basil goes bitter after flowering.  Let me just say that if you put enough garlic and Parmesan cheese in it there's no noticeable bitterness.  We made about a gallon.  Hopefully enough to last until next summer.

Did you know you can make your own brown sugar?  It's just a cup of granulated sugar and a tablespoon of molasses.  I made about 6 cups to bake with and use in coffee...mmmmm.  It's probably not much cheaper than buying it but at least I know that there's real molasses in it.  I'm not saying it's healthy, just better. 

I made 5, yes 5, batches of Chewy No Bake Granola Bars.  I cut them up and freeze them for snacks and for Carl to pack in his lunch.  I substitute ground flax for the wheat bran and I don't put chocolate chips in every batch.

I also cooked up a batch of chickpeas and made some hummus.  I used this recipe as the base but I left out the onion powder and added 2 tsp. of cumin, 1 tsp. of chili powder and a heaping tbsp of tahini.   I also drizzled in some olive oil.  It was so very good.  (no picture because my camera batteries died). 

I'm really needing to make some waffles - maybe I can do that for lunch?

What's been happening in your kitchen lately?

This post is shared at... Bloom , The Backyard Farming Connection,  Barn Hop, Tasty Tuesday

::right now::

Right now we are...

 

 

 

... thankful for our pecan harvest (they're a little dry since we didn't do a good job watering them but they'll be great for pesto and baking)

...waiting for our apple and cinnamon breakfast cake to come out of the oven - seriously late breakfast but maybe I can get out of cooking lunch? (recipe from Heather's Whole Foods Workshop)

... shelling pecans whenever we feel "bored"

...excited about the colder temperatures - 40's for the lows and 70's for the highs

...using the outer casing of the pecans to make "new" eyes

...harvesting our lemons - a few at a time

...enjoying lemonade and lemon dewberry muffins (again from Heather, from her 30 Day Vegan class)  original recipe has blueberries but we didn't store any of our blueberries

...saying things such as, "I can't believe we have grapefruit, it's been so long"  or "Mom, I love you because you bought grapefruit" (this one from Ester) these are the joys of eating seasonally

...anxiously awaiting the ripening of oranges and grapefruit from friends. 

...wondering how long it will be before our orange, grapefruit and lime trees produce

...praying for those on the east coast as they await the arrival of Sandy

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama

 

Phoebe and a couple of friends getting the autographs of the

members of Casting Crowns.

Handmade Christmas 2012 {gifts for men}

 

 

Welcome to this weeks link up of Handmade Christmas gifts.  All the categories will be open for links through Nov. 31st so make sure to go back through and see what everyone is linking up.  Also, feel free to link up items as you complete them.

 

The hardest people for me to make gifts for are men.  Partly because men are usually a little more utilitarian than women and they just don't see the need for more than one tote bag, for instance.  As my boys grow into teens and adults they're not quite so excited about mama made stuff as they used to be. 

 

But that's ok because I know you guys are going to link up some amazingly awesome gifts that we can make for the guys in our lives this holiday season. 

 

With the cooler weather coming I decided to make a "rice warmer" to send to Christian.  Not really a Christmas gift but more of a "I love you and miss you" gift.  A "rice warmer" is a tube sock filled with about 3 cups of rice with a flannel case over it.  You heat it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes to warm up and it will stay warm for a long time.  It's really good for when you have muscles aches and need a hot pack or when it's cold and you want to snuggle under blankets.  If you get really cold feet these are great for warming them up.

 

You can also use field corn - it will stay warm a little longer.  We've used these for years and have never had a problem but I have read reports of people catching their microwave on fire by leaving them in too long.  But you guys are smart so I know you would never do that.

Your turn...

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life {ebook}

 If you've been a reader here for very long you probably know that I have great respect for Crystal of Money Saving Mom.  Not just because she and her husband are using 100% of their profits from her book Money Saving Mom Budget (you can read my review here) to help the people of Dominican Republic.  Although that really tugs at my heart strings.

But I've also seen over and over that Crystal's blog is not just a deals blog.  Yes, you will find plenty of deal posts on her site.  But you'll also find all kinds of encouragement in other areas of life to simplify, be intentional and rely on the Lord. 

Last fall Crystal did a 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life series.  It was right about the time we were moving and so while I read the posts I didn't really do the assignments. 

 

So, I was so excited when I got an email asking if I would be interested in reviewing her ebook by the same name.  She has revamped the series and is offering it for purchase for .99, yep that's right ninety-nine cents.  But just until Thursday, Oct. 25th.  On Friday, the price goes up to $4.99.  Still a bargain.

Here's a few of the really great things about 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life...

You will be encouraged to take personal responsibility for your life.  I love this quote -  "I am the problem, but I am also the solution."  A lot of times I hear, "Well, you do have 6 children." or "You have moved a lot."  but you know what?  Those are just excuses for my undisciplined nature - they help me avoid personal responsibility.

You'll be encouraged to do a small task each day.  A task you choose to do.  Probably one you've been putting off.  Here's my small task for day 2 (I read ahead) "Drink only 1 cup of coffee and then only water"  I'm going to carry this into next week.  See what I mean - small, you choose.

You'll be encouraged to work on one mega task for the duration of the 21 days.  Again, a task you choose.  I'm speaking at a local women's conference next month.  I have my talk all planned out in my head but I'm sure its way longer than the time period I'm allotted.  So I really need to spend time each day praying about what God would have me share with these ladies and get it all on paper.

You'll be encouraged to look at your habits and decide which ones stay, which ones go and what new habits you need to develop.  For me, I really need to do some foot stretches and exercises before I get out of bed.  I know that my feet will feel much better and yet, I keep thinking, "I'll just do them later." But for these excercises the optimal time is before my feet touch the floor so later really isn't working too well.

Here's the biggie, you'll be encouraged to go slow.  If you think of 5 small tasks to do on one day, you'll be encouraged to just do one.  If you realize you need to develop 3 new habits, you'll be encouraged to just start with one.  I really like this.  This is how true discipline develops.

So if you're feeling like you need a gentle nudge towards having more discipline in your life I highly suggest purchasing this ebook. 

(disclosure:  If you use the links in this post I will receive a small commission if you purchase the book.  If that bothers you, that's ok just use your search engine to find the book.  Either way, this is a great book that won't disappoint you.)

What are your best tips for staying (or becoming) disciplined?

Nutcracker costume

About two years ago Phoebe informed us that she wanted to take ballet lessons.  This was actually quite shocking because she had never really expressed an interest in dance beyond dressing up in tutus when she was little. 

 

So, at the ripe old age of 10 1/2 she began taking ballet.  Late by some standards but just right for her.  She's been super motivated to learn all the basics.  She's watched You Tube videos, borrowed books and videos from the library and borrowed books from her teacher.  She's progressed very quickly.  This spring she tried out for our local ballet company and was accepted as a junior apprentice. 

 

We are so blessed to have a vibrant fine arts community in our small city.  Each year our ballet company performs The Nutcracker.  This year Phoebe is double cast as a soldier and a party girl.  For half the performances she'll be a soldier and for half she'll be a party girl.

 

I had the privilege of making her dress for the performance.  So I'm able to get some photos before the official photo day.  Here they are...



 

 

 

We used 2 simplicity patterns, 7306 for the dress and 6041 for the puff sleeves.  For the pantaloons I just made some pajama pants and added all kinds of lace and ribbon to the bottoms.



 

Esther will be a cherub in some of the performances.  I'll snap some pics on the official photo day to share with you.  Because I know you can't wait to see them...

Have a lovely start to your week!

This post is shared at Bloom,

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama

The pecans are falling.

Handmade Christmas 2012 {gifts for women}

I'm so excited about the ideas that have been linked up the last couple of weeks.  Rememeber that the link ups will be open until Nov. 31st for each catagory so go ahead and continue to link up through then. 

This week we're linking up gifts for women.  Last year Gabriel made monogramed mugs for everyone.  He used this tutorial from DesignMom.  I love them and so did all of the recipients. 

I really like this moisturizing hand scrub from Good Life Eats.  Our lemons are starting to ripen so I'll probably be making some of these this year...shhhh don't tell anyone.

Candles always make a nice gift but sometimes the idea of making candles is a bit overwhelming.  So why not try dipped candles or wrapped candles.

Your turn... This post is shared at Works For Me Wednesday, Southern Lovely: Show & Share, What I Learned Wednesday , Not Afraid of the Snow,

our first hive honey harvest

This past week Carl and Gabriel did another bee removal job.  This one was really big and they brought home lots of honeycomb. 

When I got home from The Nutcracker costume fittings they had begun to process the comb to extract the honey.  For wild honey, this is pretty time consuming.  There's all kinds of mashing and straining that goes on.  

Gabriel checked on one of the hives that has had a lot of activity lately.  He found some pretty full frames in the super box.  We really didn't think we would harvest any of our own honey this year.  But since this is extra for the bees we went ahead and harvested it. 

 

Most of these cells have honey in them.  The ones that are capped with wax are completely full. We removed the capped wax and put the frames into our honey extractor.  And turned the handle to spin the frames.

 

When all the frames were done.  We made a homemade stainer using my canning  funnel with a mesh tea strainer inside and a wire strainer on top.  Sometimes you just gotta use what you have.

We got 3 quarts and 1 pint from our first honey harvest from our bees.  What an amazing treat.

 The honey was so light and golden.  Gabriel had some comb that the bees were building in the "wrong" place on a frame and he cut it off to add to some of the jars of honey.

Phoebe and Esther made us a snack of watermelon while we worked on the honey.  I say we but Gabriel, Carl, Benjamin and and older couple from church really did the work.  I just socialized and took pictures.  oh, and turned the handle a couple of times.

Now, I'm off to finish cleaning the kitchen, since my sock just stuck to the floor I think mopping is in order this morning...

Have a great week and don't forget about Handmade Christmas 2012 all the links will remain open until the end of November so feel free to go link up all kinds of gift giving goodness.

This post is shared at:  Backyard Farming Connection

Handmade Christmas 2012 {gifts for children}

My sister and I are pretty close and talk almost every day.  It wasn't always that way with her being the pesky younger sister and all.  Or maybe it was me being the bossy older sister.  She's no longer pesky but I'm still pretty bossy... hmmm

Even so, when she called me the other day to tell me her daughter said, "Do you think Aunt Angi will make us pajamas again for Christmas?" I wasn't sure exactly how the question was asked.  To my relief it was asked because my sweet neice and nephew wear their pajamas from last year *almost* every night.  I'm sure it would be every night if they didn't have to be washed at times. 

Most of my children have long outgrown the novelty of matching pajamas.   But not these two or Esther.  So I'm on the hunt for some super fun fabric to make some matching pj's for all.  (My older boys will just have to humor me.)

 

I'm also thinking for the younger ones that a crayon bag might be in order...

oh, or maybe a beret, I could make them to match the pj's...

ok, so I seem to have a sewing for kids theme here.  Hopefully someone will link up some non-sewing ideas, too.  I need some diversity.

Your turn...

fall garden

We are slowly getting our fall garden in.  My boys were kind enough to build me two 4'X8' boxes for raised beds. 

These are beets and swiss chard.  I'm going to confess and say that I've always thought I didn't like beets.  I think because I've only seen canned beets on a salad bar and they didn't look very appealing.  But my friend from Kenya has shown me how to put them in a salad (or slaw) and I love them.  I even roasted some with some sweet potatoes and onions.  So now I'm growing them.

As you can see, I'm having an issue with my seeds germinating...ugh... Most of the seeds I started in my trays got washed way when we had a huge storm a while back.  So I thought I'd just direct seed since my boxes are ready.  I've planted more seeds and I'm going to water every day to keep the ground moist so hopefully they will germinate.

Gabriel came to me the other day and said, "If I build a box for repeater onions, can you buy some?"  Well, of course.  So he used some scrap wood from a shipping crate and a pallet and built this box for me.  It's super high off the ground because he does not want to have to weed it.  And it has a bottom for that same reason.  If you were strong enough you could actually pick this baby up and move it.  



I have a friend whose seeds are germinating just fine.  She brought over lots of cauliflower transplants (way over 50).  I planted 21 and shared the rest with another friend.  I was in a hurry so I just used one of the beds that the squash had been in this summer.  No box, but I think it will do just fine.

My sweet potato vines are coming back after being burned in our backyard  brush fire.  I'm wondering if they'll make it all winter.  We've been going out and just harvesting what we need and then replanting the vine.  I guess if we get a freeze we'll go ahead and dig them all up.

Our hens are confined to their run for a while.  We've had a couple not go back into the coop at night and have been attacked.  We think by raccoons.  It's crazy, we've been here almost a year and haven't had any issues with predators.  However, we've lost hens these last couple of weeks.  Benjamin and Gabriel are on the job so hopefully the issue will be resolved soon.

We still need to plant garlic and bulb onions.  Hopefully our lettuce, spinach and carrot seeds will come up or I'll need to replant those also. 

Feel free to share what's going on in your garden in the comments.

This post is linked to Tuesday Garden Party, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, The Backyard Farming Connection Hop,

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama

 

Nothing like erupting a homemade volcano!

Handmade Christmas 2012 {grandparents, aunts & uncles}

When my older children were little their Grandpa gave them a finger print art book.  They are way beyond finger print art but Esther thought it was so "beautiful" when I showed it to her. (disclaimer: that was the only link I could find to the book.  I'm guessing it's out of print, I know our grandparents wouldn't have spent anywhere near that on a book - no matter how "beautiful" it is. Also, this is not an affiliate link.)

While everyone else was a their various Wednesday night activities we did finger print art on bookmarks.

Don't tell anyone but this is what she is giving for her Christmas gifts.  Although she already told Christian she made him a worm on paper.  We're working on learning to not tell everything.

One year Benjamin made ribbon and button book marks.  I did the hot glue and he did everything else.

Ok, so those are super easy kids crafts that even the very young can do. 

Your turn: This post is shared at Frugal Friday Photos, The Chicken Chick, What I Learned Wednesday,  Southern Lovely - Show and Share, Be Inspired,

Handmade Christmas 2012 {being frugal - not cheap}

 

 

I'm so excited to start the Handmade Christmas 2012 Link Up party tomorrow.  Are you getting your posts picked out and and ready to link up?  I hope so!

 

I thought I'd take this opportunity to share some ideas of being frugal (not cheap) when making these handmade items. 

 

If you don't already have a craft stuff stash it can become really expensive to accumulate crafting supplies.  But it doesn't have to.  Here's some ideas. 

 

{Freecycle}

I love Frecycle.  For those who don't know Freecycle is a yahoo group where people can ask for things they need for free and people who have stuff they want to get rid of can offer it for free.  Most communities have a local group.  What I have seen offered and asked for...

...fabric

...sewing machines

...yarn, knitting and crochet needles

...wood scraps (like from a barn)

...tools (both power and hand tools)

...jars (canning jars are the best - I recently got some vintage blue colored Ball jars)

...furniture

...scrapbook paper

...paint

 

If you know you're going to do a certain craft go ahead and list the supplies you need and see what happens.  You might not get exactly what you want, you might get something better (like my blue canning jars).

 

{thrift stores & garage sales}

Thrift stores and garage sales are great places to find crafting stuff.  In fact, most of our crafting stuff comes from second hand sources.  All of our thrift stores have 1/2 price days at some point in the month.  I can get sheets to use for fabric for about $2 a sheet.  I can get mugs to monogram for under $1 a piece.  If you're not much of a thrift store person become one.  It's a great way to keep things out of our landfills and give items a second chance.

 

{coupons and sales}

Craft stores such as Hobby Lobby and Michael's have rotating sales on their items and usually a 40% off coupon.   Get to know that cycle.  For instance, I know that Hobby Lobby has their rolls of ribbon and tulle on sale for half price about every other week.  So if I were going to make a tutu for someone I would just wait until the tulle went on sale since I know if it's not on sale this week it most like will be next week. 

 

{get the word out}

Let people know you're interested in a certain craft.  Not in the way of saying "Hey, I want to sew can I have your sewing machine."  But just talking with people who do that craft or used to do the craft will help you gain invaluable knowledge.  A lot of time older people who loved the craft they used to do and are no physically unable to do will hang on to their tools and supplies waiting for the right person to give it to.  My granny did this.  She was an amazing seamstress and when she was no longer able to sew she gave me quite a bit of her sewing patterns and other stuff.  She wanted to make sure the person who got them would use them.

 

{difference between frugal and cheap}

Want to know the difference between being frugal and being cheap?  Attitude. 

 

Frugal says, "I'm wanting this Christmas to be handmade in order to give of myself to those around me.  Handmade is beautiful and a good use of my resources.  When I give handmade it enables me to bless more people" 

 

Cheap say, "I'm wanting this Christmas to be handmade in order to not spend money on people I really don't care about but feel obligated to give them a gift.  So I'm going to find the cheapest craft I can and then brag about how little I spent.  I don't really care if they are diabetic they're getting cookies just like everyone else."

 

{on a personal note}

Carl and I have spent 3 of our last 10 Christmases with him being unemployed.  We spent the first 10 Christmases with Carl in school and we lived below the national poverty line.  I know what it means to not have money to spend on people you love during the holidays.  It is tough. 

 

But I learned something wonderful, I can still give gifts to those I love.  I just have to be a little more creative.  And I have to not feel bad about it. 

 

We live in a culture that consumes, and consumes a lot.  But I'm not sure that's really a good thing.  I want our family to give gifts that are meaningful and that people will enjoy.  So whether it's a jar of homemade jam or jelly  for all of my children's AWANA workers (or the garbage pickup guys) or pajamas for my niece and nephews I can feel good about giving them something that no one else can. 

 

A handmade item from our family. 

 

How do you craft on a budget?  Leave your ideas in the comments.



{cooperation among churches}

One of the things that I most love about our congregation is that it is full of people who are mission minded.  Not just in big "let's take a mission trip to Africa and build a well" but in day in and day out things that really do take a different level of commitment than is found in the once every couple of years big trip.  Now, don't get me wrong those trips are great and needed but if that's all the church is doing I think it's missing the boat a little. 

Each year our church hosts a weekend for our youth where they stay at host homes for the weekend.  The weekend if full of fun and games, Bible study and community impact.  The adults also participate in the weekend, we just don't get to stay at host homes.  Over the years we've worked at the food bank, several women's shelters and homes and a local Christian charity.   A lot of these projects have someone or several someones in our church who regularly volunteers with them. 

This year we took it up a notch.

This year we partnered with a church in an "under resourced" area of our city.  You see we don't have a church building, we meet in the Theatre Arts center downtown.  We don't really have a neighborhood.  So we've asked this congregation if we can adopt their neighborhood and help them reach it.  So we co-hosted a Jesus is my Super Hero day camp on Saturday morning.  We had great music, crafts, bible story and memory verse and minute to win it games.  On Saturday evening we had a block party.

The person who organized and led the day camp, under the supervision of one of our pastors, was a 20 year young man.  He spent several months earlier this year in New York City interning with a ministry that does this all over the city.  He did an amazing job. 

Then on Sunday evening we had the most amazing worship time ever. All of this was done in the park right across the street from the church. It was so very cool seeing people come out of their homes and join us.  You see, this isn't a neighborhood where outdoor "concerts" happen.  In fact, one concerned citizen who lives down the block called the police.  This is a neighborhood that is very well patrolled and the policeman was able to reassure this person that all was well. 

This neighborhood has been pretty well forgotten and dismissed by the vast majority of our city.  Our city, which has by and large not been impacted by the recent recession.  Our city that is full of farmers, ranchers, educators, medical workers, and most recently oil workers.  People who care and yet our city is building several new parks, most near new housing developments.  While this park, still doesn't have playground equipment.  The people of this neighborhood are struggling, not just financially but, more important. spiritually. 

In the middle of this neighborhood right across the street from the park is a church whose pastor grew up the neighborhood and has chosen to stay because he loves the people.  His church loves the people.  God loves the people. 

The most effective way for our congregation to reach the people of our city is to support the churches in these forgotten neighborhoods.  And I don't mean giving them money.  I mean giving our time, talent and resources.  Giving our lives in cooperation.  Not just once, or once a year but throughout the year.  Helping this small church be the go to place in the neighborhood where these people can continue to build real community. 

As we left last night, I heard people from both congregations say they can't wait until we do it again.  Neither can my family, it was probably the most meaningful weekend we've had in a long, long time.

I'd love to hear how your family or church helps to impact your city.