Hen and Chicks

Welcome to Hen and Chicks!

It may be about crafting or homeschooling, cleaning house or cleaning hearts, old family discovered or new friends found, but whatever it's about life with my chicks is never dull.

* rays of truth in the quagmire *

This article from the Salt Lake Tribune details only some of the conditions and heartbreaking situations that were witnessed by trained and seasoned mental health workers who were contracted by Texas CPS to help them in the days following the wholesale kidnapping of 400+ children from the FLDS.

Please read the actual letters written by these workers in the box "The floor was literally slick with tears .  .  "  These mental health workers were under a confidentiality agreement, but were so disturbed by what they saw happenning to these women and children that they wrote anonymous letters of their experiences within the shelters so their own employer, Hill Country Community Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center, would know what was happening and possibly be able to do something about it.

* numbers changing *

I GET it now!  It was interesting and slightly puzzling why, when CPS released the numbers/ages of children curently in custody, every age group was about 50/50 except for the 14-17 year old age range, which was almost 3 to 1 females to males.  Read this excellent post over at The Common Room ot find out why the numbers are skewed, and then head over to Free the FLDS Children to get the latest happenings as well as some really excellent information that the news media in general is not sharing with the public.

Here are some lovely photos/ heartbreaking videos at Captive FLDS Children.

* deafening silence *

I have been quiet these past two weeks as I've watched and read of the events unfolding in El Dorado, Texas.

It is with sadness that I find the rest of blogland - or at least the parts that I visit - completely silent on the subject. 

Are we all sitting comfortably in our homes thinking that what is happening to "them" is because of X, Y, and Z?  Do we not realize that with a few (very minor) modifications, an anonymous phone call by a "concerned" citizen could put anyone who goes against the mainstream of society in jeopardy of the same kind of treatment?

Do you believe in God?  Or more importantly, do you believe that the only way to know God is through the saving grace of our LORD Jesus Christ?

Do you do your best, through his wonderous grace, to live each day by the principles set forth in the Holy Bible?

Do you believe that a wife should submit to and give honor to her husband?

Do you not have a television in your home?  Or only watch very limited, carefully selected programs?

Do you teach your own children in your own home?

Do you believe that it is a God-given right and command to teach your children as you sit in your house and walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up?

Instead of watching television, or as part of your school time, do you and your children memorize scripture or play music and sing hymns together?

Do you have more than 2.3 children?

Do you have long hair that you usually or occasionally braid?  Does your daughter wear her hair braided?

Do you wear dresses or long skirts?  Does your daughter wear dresses or long skirts?

If Texas can come armed onto private property and remove over 400 children from their homes, then who will be next?

* our weekly menu 1 *

Edited 4-8-09 to add:

These are the items/dishes that I've chosen for our menu this week.  I got almost everything from the April May issue of Taste of Home magazine (italicized). 

Monday:  Breakfast-  Baked Oatmeal        Lunch- tuna salad with crackers and leftover cabbage salad      Dinner- Kabobs with Snap Peas & Mushrooms, fresh baked bread, and Applesauce Raspberry Gelatin  The kabobs were great and the homegrown peas were wonderful!  DS3 made pilaf instead of bread because I didn't get the bread started in the machine before we left for piano lessons  :-(

Tuesday:  B- cereal/yogurt/oatmeal       L- Refried Beans with tortilla chips and salsa       D- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with cornbread and Corn & Black Bean Salsa  These chicken enchiladas were delicious!  Very easy to make, eye appealing with all of that gorgeous bubbling sauce, and there's enough for leftovers tomorrow!!  I made Corny Bread (from TBMC II, see below) in the bread machine instead of regular cornbread and it got very nice compliments from Dear Husband.  I didn't get to the Corn & Black Bean Salsa, though, so will have to make that another time.

Wednesday: B- cereal/yogurt/oatmeal (hot cross buns recipe is in the machine for in the morning!) and make Millet Muffins to take with us visiting       L- out with family        D-  ??

Thursday: B- cereal/yogurt/oatmeal       L- Mexican Pizza made with leftover Refried Beans       D- Chicken Pot Pie with fresh baked bread

Friday: B- cereal/yogurt/oatmeal or Peanut Butter Muffins       L- possibly leftovers       D- Bacon Cheeseburger Buns with Potato Wedges and salad or fresh veggies & dip

Saturday:

Sunday: B- Pull Apart Bacon Bread with fresh fruit and scrambled eggs.

The dinners that are not assigned a day yet are:  Shredded Beef-N-Slaw and Apple & Onion Chicken along with the side dish of Lattice Corn Pie and the dessert of Creamy Orange Gelatin.  I usually leave one night blank (only plan six dinners for the week) to give room for leftovers, possibly a dinner out, or for plans suddenly changing, etc.  Then I can simply move a meal from here to there without much fuss.

All of the bread comes from our frequently used bread machine that I found at the Salvation Army store for $5.  Sometimes it gets a few days rest, but other days it has something in it overnight for breakfast, then something else gets put in for dinner.  We have a variety of breads, most of the recipes I get from The Bread Machine Cookbook II (TBMC II).  Cracked Wheat and Honey Oatmeal are two of my husband's favorites. 

* making time *

One of the lessons I've learned from my Grandma's death is a lesson about time. 

See, Grandma, being Grandma and therefore immune to time like other people - or so I thought in my undeveloped sensibility - was just always supposed to be here.  For my entire life she was always there, quietly doing what she does in the background of my life, and taken for granted that that would continue.

With her passing, I've had to face reality and now think of all the times I missed stopping by to visit her and spend time with her when we were in town.  I've got too much to do, I would say.  I'll see her in a few weeks at the family gathering, I reasoned.  I'll stop in next time, I said.  Unfortunately, I've learned that at some point there is no "next time."

There are things (meaning people and relationships) in this life that are just too important to wait for an undefined 'later' or 'next time.'  I realized that if those things are really important to me, I will make time for them in our daily, weekly life/routine because the time will never just happen on it's own.  I realized how easily my minutes and hours throughout the day are eaten up with things that are important for that minute  but have no consequence in the grand scheme of things.  I understood that I was simply going through each day allowing myself to be swept along by the current, not knowing where it was taking me.

A nice analogy occured to me when I was talking about meal planning with my neighbor.  I had recently shared with her my meal planning efforts and the blessing it had been both to myself and our family, so she decided to give it a try.  Now, a few weeks later, I asked how her planning was going?   Great!  She was trying new recipes, dinner was on time with little stress, her husband was very pleased, and she even had time now to make extra treats; yummy desserts and snacks that she felt she never had time for before.

"Light Bulb Moment!"

Yes!  I can look through cookbooks and magazines and see all kinds of recipes and treats that sound interesting or totally delicious but they won't make themselves.  If I don't plan for them, then we will end up having the same old thing every night.  In the exact same way, I can be looking through the "pictures" of my life, seeing recipes for special places, people and relationships, but they won't just make themselves happen.    I now understand that if these people and relationships are important, then I will make the time for them and plan for them just like I plan our menu every week.

Another thought that occured to me was how thankful I am that my children still have all four of their grandparents.  They are aging and all in their 70's and 80's, but they are here, now, and that is what is important.   I have determined that the children will not have those missed opportunities and instead will be able to enjoy their grandparents and have special memories of them as I do of mine.

Quickly on the heels of that thought (above), my mind went to two beloved older ladies in our church who I just adore and feel a special relationship with.  I think about them frequently, and yet like Grandma, I never really do anything about it.  Well, not anymore!  We went and visited both of them yesterday morning and it was wonderful! 

Miss B is a widow and very much like my mother-in-law.  Softly spoken, she was born and raised in Oklahoma, the oldest of a large family, came to California as a young girl with her family, and married quite young;  Miss B was 14 when she married, my m-i-l was 15.  She also used to be an avid crocheter in her younger days and said she has crocheted just about anything you can think of.  As we were leaving her home, I noticed a pretty bouquet and then realized that the 'flowers' were crocheted!  She asked me if I'd like the pattern so I could make some myself?  Of course! I said.  So she picked a flower out of the bunch and handed it to me! LOL!

Our next visit was with Miss V.  Miss V is married but her husband was gone for the morning on a discipling visit.   One of the allures of Miss V's house, especially for DD, is that she has a dog.  A little dog.  A little dog with a big name - Sir Winston.  Our visit with Miss V was brief but just as wonderful as could be.  As we were leaving she thanked us for coming over and please don't wait so long to come again.  I shooed the children out to the car and shared with her my above thoughts - that time is precious and after my Grandma died I realized that there are important people who we need to make time to see and that she was one of those people for me.  She felt the same way and knew that she needed to make more of an effort to see her children and grandchildren.  She said she was sorry that I had lost my Grandma.  With tears welling in my eyes I told her that it was my last Grandma.  Do you know what she said?  This sweet soul said that she would be my Grandma now.

Making time for special people is ALWAYS worth it.

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH (Jehovah), and rejoice before him.

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:

                                                                                           Psalm 68:3-6

* everyday blessings *

My heart is overflowing with gratitude at the sight of these precious blessings from the LORD.

(This is DS2 and the Angel, a.k.a. DS1, ages 14 and 21, respectively.)

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

                                                                           Lamentations 3:22-25

* a final goodbye *

I know I've been avoiding it - but my sister-in-law and step-daughter both called to ask how my Grandma is doing.  So it's time.

My Grandmother passed away on Saturday, March 22nd.  I will always remember that it was a Saturday, and that it was the Saturday before Easter.  She was 93 and had lived a long, full life.    Numbers are always mentioned so I'll say that she was the mother of three daughters and one son, the grandmother of six grandsons and five granddaughters, great-grandmother of 11 great-granddaughters and ten great-grandsons, and great-great-grandmother to two little girls.  She was wife for over 55 years until the loss of her husband, my grandfather, almost 20 years ago.  I cannot begin to list all of her accomplishments but it would be something very similar to the Proverbs 31 woman that we read this morning. 

I was not able to be there when she died, but that timing was all in the LORD's hands.  I am thankful that after everyone left  a special cousin and I were able to stay with her after her death and not only say a final goodbye and "I love you" to Grandma and share precious memories, but to wait with her until the funeral home came.  It was one of the hardest and yet most special times I can imagine.  When we actually left the room and walked down the hallway arm in arm, you can only imagine how the tears flowed -- as they are now just remembering.  The reality, the finality, everything just hit us.

Several days later I sat for the duration of her viewing the day before the funeral and heard wonderful stories of Grandpa and Grandma, tales of fun and good times, what good neighbors they were through thick and thin, and how much they are both missed.  It was an honor to be there with long-time friends, childhood companions, and cherished neighbors of my Grandparents.  Her funeral the next day was very well attended and the small funeral chapel was packed with people who came to honor and say good-bye to my Grandmother.  It was a lovely service full of remembrances that ended simply at her graveside.  After a few brief words were spoken, the children and I sang "In the Rifted Rock."   (as I just attached that link, in stunned silence I noticed that I wrote it exactly one year before my Grandma died.)

What will I remember?  Her smile.  How she cooked for a crowd and preserved the bounty of her garden and smiled.  How she never sat still but was always busy with her hands quilting, crocheting, painting, writing and sewing.  How she never complained or whined.  How steady she was - it took a lot to ruffle her feathers, which my Grandfather was quite adept at doing.  At her funeral, a cousin stood and said he remembers just two words that he will always remember my Grandmother saying, "Oh, Charles."    And how right he was.  We all laughed when he said that because she said it all the time.  My Grandfather was quite the character and Grandma's "Oh, Charles" was spoken in a hundred different ways, all of which bring another special memory.  I'll remember most how lucky I was/am to have this family in that time and place and everything we shared as children on Grandpa and Grandma's farm. 

It was a blessed time that I'll cherish forever.

Goodbye, Grandma.  Tell Grandpa that we miss him still and we'll all be together again soon.   

* a long goodbye *

I've not been around this past week - -

and probably won't be around much this next week.

My last and dearest Grandmother suffered a major stroke on March 12th.  When the extent of the damage was assessed and test results were in hand (massive hemorrhaging of the brain, total loss of function on her right side, a miracle she lived through it) the word "terminal" fell like a merciless hammer against my heart.  When the word terminal was official, her advance Health Care Directive took over in which she desired no heroic measures, no artificial means of prolonging life, no tubes, no nothing.

Today marks one week (seven days) since the IV was removed from her arm.  She is with us.  Nothing to eat or drink, yet she is with us.  She does not, cannot speak.  She only briefly opens her eyes a few times a day; and though with the damage caused by the stroke and not having her glasses we are sure she is not seeing much, yet what a treasure and pure pleasure it is to look into those dark eyes once again and to have them look back.  To have her turn her head towards our voice.  To imagine her smiling at us once more.

We pray for the LORD to take her, we whisper in her ear to go home when the LORD calls - and yet I am so thankful for this time.  Thankful that a special cousin and I can watch over and care for her in these last days.  Thankful for the time spent sharing special memories of Grandma and all of the fun we had as children on Grandpa & Grandma's farm.  Thankful for a late evening spent quietly singing hymns to Grandma with a cousin who is more like a sister and who I rarely get to see anymore.  Thankful for a chance to get to know my cousin's grown children better, as they step up and help care for their Great-Grandmother.  Thankful for time to be together as a family in a way that is not usually possible these days. 

I have no idea how much longer she will be with us.  But I am thankful for this last and best gift we've been given - Time.   

 

* the great state of california and homeschooling *

A few places to turn your attention just in case you haven't heard enough about the hullabaloo going on in California and one of our illustrious rogue judges:

Jesse Paine (husband of Crystal Paine) gives an analysis at BiblicalWomanhood

Jonathan Lindvall points our attention to God in this very good article at Crossroad/Kjos Ministries

and click "Continue Reading" below for a continuation of this post which contains a letter from the Principal of Sunland Christian School, the ISP in which the Long family were enrolled.

* keeping on track *

Here are a few links that I've visited lately - things or places that are helping to keep my mind focused on my purpose (to glorify the LORD by joyfully serving my family), and on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.

Dr. S.M. Davis preaching on the Attitude that No Lady Should Have - http://www.biblepreaching.com/davisattitude_mp3.html

Steve & Terri Maxwell's Dad's Corner and Mom's Corner - http://www.titus2.com/corners/

Stacy McDonald's Blog - http://www.yoursacredcalling.blogspot.com/

My prayer is that you would be encouraged and challenged in your own walk with Christ.

Blessings to You -

* pin and cut and pin and cut and . . . *

I have MUCH sewing to do and so this morning I bit the proverbial bullet and cut out everything I have on my 'To Sew:' list.

It took about 3 hours (not counting a break for breakfast) to cut fabric for a set of aprons (light aqua petit fours fabric), an apron for my wonderful S-I-L (pretty purple floral), a jumper/pinafore for daughter (embroidered denim) and two for a friend's granddaughter (daisy and horse fabrics), a dress for my granddaughter the lovely Miss O (pink fabric in center),  and sweet summer dress on order (sweet pink seersucker on the left.)

A great tip I learned long ago when you have several projects lined up is to put everything you need for a single project in a ziploc bag; fabric, pattern, thread, buttons, elastic, interfacing, trims, etc. all go in the bag and then when you are ready to sew, you don't have to stop and look for something or go to the store to get something you thought you had but can't find.   But then, that probably never happens to you because you're more organized than I am.  ;-)

Voila!  All safe and sound until it is their turn to be sewn! 

* homemade barbeque *

The weather has been so beautiful lately, the wind has finally died down and the sun is shining brightly!  In planning my menu this week, checking the freezer to see what we have/what I need to use up, I spied some steaks and thought how long its been since we barbequed.  So, DS3 and I went out to the backyard to see what we could find for a barbeque.  We found an old terra cotta planter that was just the perfect size, put enough dirt in the bottom to level it out, and then covered it with heavy duty foil.  Then you can put your charcoal briquettes in, light them and voila!  an instant homemade barbeque.

We cooked veggies (carrots, broccoli, pea pods and mushrooms) in foil, and then started some apples with a smidge of butter, brown sugar and cinnamon - the packets around the edge of the grill - and then put on our steaks.  I had bread in the machine and potatoes baking in the oven.  It was all delicious!  And Fun!!  We'll be using it again and again!

* sharing some sunlight *

My chair, as we sit and do school each day, happens to be at the end of the table nearest our sliding back door.    Now, early in the morning as the sun shines through the window, the dogs are under my feet, anywhere that they can be to get the best spot of sun.   Okay, so I've gotten used to stepping over them,  and looking over my shoulders before I scoot my chair, just in case!  But while doing our lessons last week I happened to glance down for just a second and  -- this is what I saw

Too, too cute. 

(BTW: Our 'puppies', both approaching 4 years old, are a Jack Russell/Dachsund mix on the left and a Corgi mix on the right.  We got them both at the local animal shelter 3 and 2 years ago, respectively.)

* money, usury, enslavement *

Oh my, oh my .  .  . 

If you are interested in the way our country works, the history of our money system, and a thorough lesson in economics, then I will refer you to this excellent video of The Money Masters @ Google video.

Please be warned that it is over 3 hours long but it is broken up into 27 segments, so watch a segment or two as your time allows.  If you have young men and women in your home aged 13/14 and up this is an excellent economics primer with plenty of history and information for a more in-depth personal investigation as you or their interests desire.  I know that we had several great discussions last night in our home as a result of watching this.  This is also a most excellent example of why our LORD commanded us to be in no man's debt, Romans 13:8, because The rich ruleth over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender.  Proverbs 22:7

If you want to know more, or would like a copy of this video for yourself, then here is the place -- TheMoneyMasters.com

* think on these things *

because thy lovingkindness

is better than life,

my lips shall praise thee.

Psalm 63:3

* a glimpse of sweetness *

I've been sewing up a storm lately; finished an apron, made a dress for daughter and a dress for a friend's granddaughter, and am now working on the last details of a little size 3 piece of sweetness.

Soon I'll have a show and tell all!

(p.s. don't you just LOVE the fabric?  Visions of spring and sunshine dance before my eyes!)

* good morning *

* hippo *

An acrostic by DS3:

Hiding beneath the gunky water

In the rivers of Africa

Plunging into the water they like

Poop and eat and fight all day

Only the fish and the birds make friends with them

* blarney breakfast bake *

• 1 lb. bulk pork sausage
• 1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 10 eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 2 tsp. ground mustard
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 6 cups cubed day-old bread (I just made a plain loaf in the bread machine the night before and then cut it up in the morning.)
• 1 cup chopped seeded tomatoes (we did without the tomatoes)
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

In large skillet, cook the sausage, mushrooms and onion over medium heat until meat is no  longer pink: drain.  In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper.

In greased 13x9 baking dish, layer half of the bread cubes, tomatoes, sausage and cheese.  Repeat layers.  Pour egg mixture evenly over the top.

Bake, uncovered, at 325F for 50-55 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.   

One Word:  DELICIOUS!!

* what's good about doing the dishes *

* links for Mrs. G *

Here are some of the things we were talking about yesterday:

Sue Gregg  Homepage -

Blender Batter Pancakes/Waffles -  Which is #1 of her Whole Foods Cooking Lessons and here is where I blogged about it - delicious-good-for-you-no-flour-whole-grain-pancakes

Read here for an explanation on the how's and why's of soaking your grains - The Two Stage Process

Lunches & Snacks Cookbook - which I will be using with DD as part of year one of Training Our Daughters to be Keepers at Home and is specifically written for teaching children not only cooking skills, but identifying kitchen tools, proper preparation, nutrition and more!    Be sure to click on the Book Preview button to see the whole introduction of the book, the index of recipes, cooking with children, and several of the recipes in the children's section of the book.  Great Stuff!

Here is Mrs. Miller's Crock Pot Cooking Recipes where you will find the Crock Pot Lasagna that we so successfully used last week - and we've tried the Hawaiian Chicken, too.  Both were terribly simple and better than expected.  (Note: Since trying this, I realized that you can use ANY lasagna recipe, if you have a favorite, and make it in the Crock Pot.  All you need to do is add a little more water to the sauce.  It really was a fix it and forget it meal!)

Here is the Baked Oatmeal recipe, from Mrs. Hooper, that we have enjoyed several times now, and that  DH liked even though he's not an oatmeal person.  :-)  (Note: For the purpose of soaking the grains - Two Stage Process above - I use half cultured buttermilk in this recipe and I increase the regular milk just a bit so that I have a little over 1 1/4 c. total.)

Something else for you to think about -- I've started using Coconut Oil in my baking.  Here is Mrs. Gregg's brochure on the Benefits of Coconut Oil and which kind you should buy.

Lastly, I would simply encourage you, as time allows, to explore everything in the left side bar of Mrs. Gregg's main page (link at the top of this post).  You will hopefully learn a LOT.  And to encourage you to USE your scrapbook table that was so lovingly set up for you and so Mr. G will see that it's a nice thing and not just taking up space. ;-)  Right?   

Love to you, Dear Sister (in Christ)!

* homemade beany goodness *

We've been making our own Refried Beans for almost a year now and they are truly one of our favorite things -- and so simple, too!

I soak 4 cups of Pinto beans overnight or all day in a pot full of water.  When you're ready to cook them, drain and rinse the beans.  Back in the pot they go, again covering them with plenty of water.  Bring to a boil and then turn heat down to a nice simmer - med/low on my stovetop.  Cook for two to three hours until beans are very tender.  Do NOT drain beans.

Aren't they just lovely?  Now the fun begins!  In a large skillet - I use a 12 inch - melt one stick of butter over medium heat.  Yes, 1/2 cup of butter.  It's delicious!  Once your butter is melted and bubbly, use a large slotted spoon or whatever is handy to get the beans from the pot with as little liquid as possible.  I have a great big ladle thingy where the bowl is actually a screen and it works wonderfully!  If you don't have anything appropriate, you could drain the beans into a colander over a large bowl in order to save the liquid for a later step.   Once the beans are in the skillet, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and start mashing.  I use a hand masher that I got from Tupperware a few decades ago.   Mash until the beans are as smooth or as chunky as you like them. 

Now, add the bean liquid back into your beans about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until completely mixed in and until the beans are a consistency that you like.  Some people like their beans thicker, others a little wetter.  Now is also the time to taste test and see if you need to add a little more salt.  A word of experience:  When the beans are just like I want them, I add a little more liquid.  As they cool they will thicken up and since I make a large batch for us to have with multiple meals/recipes, it's easier to re-use them if there's a little extra water to begin with. 

Enjoy!  Today we're eating our beans for lunch with chips and salsa, tomorrow the leftovers will be used in Mexican Pizzas!

* cro, sew, menu & serve *

Here's what's been happening at our house lately (besides school!):

The afghan I'm making for the Angel is coming along nicely.  It's almost a yard long right now.  The yarn colors are Ocean and Beach (which I didn't find out until AFTER I had purchased the yarn!) but they look really great together and the pattern is a basketweave, an easy pattern that looks great (IMHO).

I've started sewing again -- this is the beginnings of a dress for MissS, the granddaughter of a friend.

This is my Menu plan for the week, written in pencil since it is subject to our needs and the unexpected.  The changes that have happened this week are 1.  I am moving the Malay Chicken to Sunday since we were at the park all afternoon on Thursday.  Dinner instead were our leftover Beerocks and new Mashed Potatoes.  2. Tonights dinner, Potstickers, is being moved to Saturday because I have thawed hamburger that needs to be used so  3. we'll have Saturday's dinner of Crock Pot Lasagna tonight.  I really love having ALL our meals planned.  It makes everything so much simpler and I can do much more ahead of time than I realized.  Another benefit is that when there is already something cut or soaking or whatever, then it is much easier to resist the urge to eat out on a whim or because "there's nothing to eat" which really means that "there's food here, I just don't feel like making it!"  BTW, I use Mrs. Miller's site a LOT for recipes and menu planning.  She not only has a weekly menu planner (pictured), but a monthly calendar, too, which I use to keep track of our meals so that I don't repeat things too often.  You can visit Mrs. Miller for yourself at The Family Homestead: Kitchen

This is our Service Opportunities Chart which I got from Doorposts and includes 56 different pictures of work that needs to be done inside and outside the home.  I've grouped the Opportunities into three sections and every month the children rotate to a new section.  There is also an Extras section where they can make a little bit of money.  The Service Opportunities on our Chart are pretty standard:

• set the table
• clean up dishes and kitchen after lunch
• feed and water dogs
• clean bathtub
• clean toilet
• vacuum
• put away laundry
• clean ashes out of fireplace (when needed)
• start fire (when needed)
• **** next set
• clean up dishes and kitchen after dinner
• water houseplants
• fold laundry
• start laundry in washing machine
• rake leaves (when needed)
• unload utensils from dishwasher
• clean sink and counter in bathroom
• dust furniture
• ****next set
• clean up dishes and kitchen after breakfast
• fill up birdfeeders in backyard
• sweep floor in kitchen, entry and bathroom
• wash bathroom mirrors
• empty trash in bathrooms and take out garbage
• empty the dryer and move laundry from washing machine to dryer
• bring in firewood (when needed)
• chop kindling (when needed)
• ****extras
• change sheets on your bed each Monday
• make a batch of laundry detergent
• pull weeds for 15 minutes (25 cents)
• wash windows inside and out (10 cents per window)
• wash or wipe down doors and door frames (10 cents each door)
• wipe clean all windowsills (25 cents)

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:   Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.                     Ephesians 6:5-8

* birthday surprise *

I'll give you three guesses where my Dearest Husband took the children and I for the weekend. 

Here's a hint:

* cooking terms and definitions *

I found this great list in an old Home Economics Teachers Casseroles cookbook (from 1965) that I got from my mom last weekend.  Some of these are familiar, but some I hadn't heard before, or heard of it but didn't quite know what it meant.  So, for all the homemakers who desire to provide the best for their families, I present:

Cooking Terms and Definitions:

• Bake ................ To cook foods in the oven.
• Baste ............... To brush or pour water, melted fat or other liquid over food.
• Beat ................  To make a mixture smooth or to introduce air by using a brisk regular motion that lifts the mixture over and over.
• Beat Lightly ....  To beat lightly with a fork to mix.  This process usually applies to just mixing the whites or the yolks of eggs.
• Bind ................  To hold foods together with a sauce.
• Blanch ............  To parboil in water for a minute, or to pour boiling water over food and then drain it almost immediately.
• Blend ..............  To thoroughly mix two or more ingredients.
• Boil .................  To cook in boiling water.
• Bread ..............  To roll in crumbs.  Often the food is dipped first into beaten egg and then rolled in the crumbs.
• Brush ..............  To brush food with melter fat or liquid to coat it.
• Chop ...............  To cut into pieces with a sharp knife.
• Cream .............  To work one or more foods unti mixture is soft and creamy or fluffy.
• Cube ...............  To cut into small equal squares.
• Dice ................  To cut into cubes.
• Disjoint ...........  To cut poultry into pieces at the joints.
• Dissolve ..........  To completely mix dry ingredients with liquid until in solution.
• Dot .................  To scatter small pieces of butter or other fat over food before cooking.
• Dust ................  To sprinkle food lightly with a dry ingredient such as paprika.
• Fillet ...............  To cut a piece of meat or fish into desired shape, removing all bones.
• Flake ...............  To break into small pieces with a fork.
• Fold ................  To combine by using two motions, cutting vertically through the mixture and turning it over and over by sliding the implement across the bottom of the mixing bowl with each turn.
• Garnish ...........  To decorate foods, usually with other foods.
• Grate ...............  To cut food into minute particles by rubbing on a grater.
• Grind ...............  To cut food into tiny particles by running through a grinder.
• Julienne ..........  To cut foods into match-thin strips.
• Knead .............  To fold, turn, and press down on dough with the hands until it becomes smooth and elastic.
• Mince ..............  To cut or chop intovery small pieces.
• Mix ..................  To combine ingredients in any way that evenly distributes them.
• Parboil ............  To partially cook food in boiling water before completely cooking in another way.
• Pare ................  To cut off the outside covering.
• Peel .................  To strip off the outside covering.
• Scald ...............  To heat milk to just below the boiling point.
• Scallop ............  To bake food in layers with a sauce.
• Shred ...............  To cut finely with a knife or sharp instrument.
• Sift ...................  To put dry ingredients through a sifter or sieve.
• Sliver ...............  To slice into long, thin strips.
• Stew ................  To cook long and slow in a liquid.
• Stir ..................  To mix foods with acircular motion for the purpose of blending or securing uniform consistency.
• Tear ................  To break or tear into bite-size pieces.
• Whip ...............  To beat rapidly to produce expansion due to the incorporation of air as applied to cream, egg and gelatin dishes.

* making home a haven 1 *

Making my home a haven of quiet and peace - rest and protection from the world outside our door - that is my dream.  To that end, I've joined in with Crystal and will try to keep track of how things are slowly and hopefully steadily changing around our home to make it a haven for us.

One thing I've done that has made my life less stressful (and Husband, too) is to organize our bathroom cupboard.  It is large and deep and things really tended to get lost under the pile that was simply shoved in with very little rhyme or reason, in turn making it a near nightmare when an item needed to be found.  So, I went to the store and got these great bins and then spent the better part of the day in the bathroom -- cleaning out all of the clutter, and what an amazing lot of it there was! -- until it was all organized; a place for everything, that is within easy reach, and everything in its place!

The top shelf, of course, holds the bulky toilet paper, the middle shelf has a bin for all of my husbands' candle-making supplies, and a large bin for all the miscellaneous stuff that didn't quite fit anywhere else.    On the bottom shelf I added two of the drawered cabinets to hold all the little things - extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, band-aids, hair clippers, my seldom used make-up and nail polish, first aid supplies, and more.

In the lower cupboard, there are neatly stacked towels - bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, and wipes all have their own space (Yeah!!).   The second shelf has the white bin full of personal toiletries -- extra shampoos, conditioners, lotions, bar soap, soft soap, styling products, hairspray, etc.  The bin next to it holds all of our curlers (three different sizes), along with a large tub of styling gel.  In the front of this bin is also where I keep my reading material - books or magazines - that I can quietly enjoy when I need to.  On the bottom shelf in the BIG bin is all of our cleaning supplies, and the smaller bin holds my cloth menstrual pads within easy reach when I need them.  Taped inside the door of this cupboard are some of our memory chapters - another reminder to think on whatever things are true.

One more bathroom item-- this great basket which sits on our long bathroom counter and holds all of the "stuff" that daughter and I use: hairdryer, curling irons, brushes, headbands and hairbands, clips and bobby pins, ribbons, lotions and more.

Another thing which makes life so much more peaceful is meal planning.  Usually when I had planned meals before, it was just dinner.  What a difference it makes when you plan breakfast and lunch, too! I would not have imagined how much nicer it would be.

Before:  What's for breakfast?    Umm .  .   let me see, you can have some toast, and the yogurt might still be good, we're out of cereal though, oh just have whatever you want!  :-(

After:  What's for breakfast?  We're having french toast and fresh fruit so set the table please!  :-)

So, in no particular order, here  is our seven days worth of meals which may be had in any order depending on what my day looks like and how much time I want to spend in the kitchen:

Breakfast:  Amish Baked Oatmeal,  fresh bread (from the bread machine set the night before) with yogurt and fresh or dried fruit (2 days), toast with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit, Freezer French Toast, Millet or Blueberry Muffins,  Blender Pancakes.

Lunch: Tuna & crackers (with salad and sprouts), sandwiches with chips and fresh fruit (2 days), Mexican Pizzas, Refried Bean (homemeade!) burritos, leftovers, fresh bread (bread machine) with tuna or a fondue.

Dinner:  Spaghetti with fresh bread (bread machine), couscous/millet burritos (with leftover Refried Beans), Garlic Breaded Chicken Breasts with Foccacia Bread and salad, tacos with all the fresh fixings, Beerocks, roast with onions/carrots/celery/potatoes and fresh bread (bread machine), leftovers.

Snacks: available any time - fruit, Chex Mix, crackers w/cheese, apples or celery w/peanut butter.

Having everything planned has been a BIG help in the level of peace and contentment in our house.  I'm looking forward to learning more and more!

* eco-friendly crochet - eventually *

As always, why work on, focus, dedicate your time to one thing when you can multi-task and work on four or five, right?

Let me back track a minute though and play catch-up:  This month I finally finished the afghan for DS2 (picture below) that I had started in the fall of 2006.  Okay, so diligence is not one of my greatest character traits!

I've started a basketweave afghan for the Angel:

AND I finally got to visit with my in-laws so that I could get a picture of this afghan that I made for my mother-in-law two years ago:

Actually, what I wanted was a close up photo of this because I love it so much and this is the same pattern that I want to use to make Daughter her first full-size afghan -- but I have been unable to find the book I used or the pattern anywhere!  But, as I was hoping, with this photo I can figure the pattern out for myself.

The pattern for this very cute and small and basic Granny Square is:

With Contrast Color, ch.4, sl st in first ch to form ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2dc, {ch2, 3dc} 3 times, ch2, sl st in top of ch3 to complete round; finish off.

R2: with Main Color in any ch2 sp, join with sl st, ch3,2dc, ch2, 3dc, {in next ch2 sp, 3dc, ch2, 3dc} 3 times, join with sl st in top of ch3 to complete round; finish off.

Repeat about 300 times (half of the squares in color, half of the squares solid color) and you'll have a great afghan! 

Funny how it isn't like I remembered, but that's just fine.  It's even easier than I remembered!  Okay, so now that I have the pattern, I can get started on Daughter's afghan -- except that .  .  .  .

When I pulled out the Stained Glass Afghan for my Giveaway, I found this little gem wrapped up in it:

These are  various squares from a swap I did about 10 years ago, and two years ago when I was desperate for something to do, I picked out the best/most colorful, and put them together in a little throw.

Now (and here I'm finally getting to my point) that got me to thinking about this:

This is a bag of crocheted squares from a HUGE afghan my mother made about 20+ years ago.  It was too big to really use (she made it big enough to be a bedspread) and it was starting to come apart where she had sewn the squares together.  So about two or three years ago (man, I was really busy then, wasn't I?) I took it all apart thinking that I would put it back together as two or three smaller, usable blankets.  But as often happens, they were put in a bag for that very intangible "some day" and promptly forgotten.

Well, with the discovery of the little scrap afghan, I remembered these squares and thought how cute they would look done up in a scrappy-pull-whatever-color-out-of-the-bag-throw-type-thing!

So, here is my start:

Don't you think that the darker/bolder colors make the pastel squares really (I'm not one for using trendy words - but in this case it truly fits the situation) POP!   I think I may do a round or two of color and then put them together with a nice chocolate brown, which seems to be my color of choice lately.

Now, my point (finally!) is that I have committed to reduce my seemingly endless supply of yarn and fabric, reuse (or use up) what I have in constructive or creative ways - and if I can't then get rid of it and let someone else use it!! - and recycle, find a new use for something that isn't used anymore, again letting go and letting someone else enjoy it if I cannot. 

Voila!  Crochet that is good for my clutter cleaning, and good for the beneficiaries of my efforts (those who will receive these little throws), and good for putting an end to the mindless consumption that I have been partaking of for the past decade .  . or two .  .  .  . okay - three.  Look, nobody's really counting, are they?

What are you working on or what are you doing to re-use or re-purpose an item in your home?

* monday funnies *

A break down of our Monday is as follows:

I let the children sleep late because, of course, I had to check out some of the offerings happening at Bloggy Giveaway!  Luckily I had made our breakfast the night before - Baked Amish Oatmeal from Elise, which was delicious, by the way and even better this morning heated up with a little milk and a smidge of butter!

A friend called and needed some help for the day so within a half an hour her daughter Miss A (the same age as my Dear Daughter) was here and our day had begun. 

Do some school, have lunch, and then off to piano lessons - we were there for 2 hours since Miss A has her lessons right before DS2, DS3 and DD.  Fortunately, Miss A and DD had planned ahead and packed a little tote of stamping supplies!  Here are a few of their creations:

 

Then it was home to prepare dinner, eat, clean up, and start working on the little quilt for DH.

As we were driving Miss A home, she and DD were being very silly in the back seat.  They were using Pee Wee Herman-type voices (even though they have no idea who Pee Wee Herman is :-) which added to the silliness!  We were laughing at their funnies - and for Ann's Monday Fun Day I will share one of their jokes:

Miss A: (in her throaty Pee Wee voice) I don't like coffee.

DD: (in her throaty Pee Wee voice) Coffee is bad, but there is one good thing about coffee .  .  .  .  Coffee CANDY!!

Peals of laughter ensued in which son and I looked at each other as if to say "What's funny about that?"  and then just started laughing because their laughter was too contagious to resist.

And since we were laughing, they decided that it was good enough to say AGAIN!  So they DID!! 

* late-night sewing *

Last night, Dear Husband reminded me about making a blanket for one of his co-workers who is having a baby.  The hitch?  Tomorrow (read: TODAY!)  is her last day before her maternity leave starts!  Do I have something I could make a blanket with, please?  Of course!  Not a problem.

Fortunately, I did have a four squares cut and pieced together, so that was my starting point.  I sewed the squares together to make a small four block quilt and then got busy and made a backing from my scraps, did some quick basic quilting on the machine, and sewed the binding to the edges.  By this point it was about 9:00 p.m. and I still had to finish hand-stitching the binding down on the other side of the quilt.

The pink fabric is velvet soft with an imprinted rose pattern, the white chenille for some texture, and the pink fairy-tale toile for just the right amount of sweetness!

I didn't finish it (including finding a bag to put it in) until about 11:00 p.m.  but I'm very happy with how it came out.  And I really love the hand-sewing part of sewing.  I love to curl up in my chair or in the corner of the couch and just weave with needle, thread and thimble - needle in, pull, needle in, pull, needle in .  .  .  .    It is very relaxing and fulfilling in a simple, nostalgic way.  And it has sparked me wanting to get some more sewing done.  So today, you can find me at the table, with fabric and scissors and pins and needles and the sewing machine quietly "whirring" as I make two dresses for a friends granddaughter.

Maybe Henrietta will stop in and give you an update of what's happening later today!

* my bloggy giveaway contribution *

EDITED 2/03/08 to announce our winner:

Congratulations to Stephanie V. who is the winner of my handmade Stained Glass Afghan!

If I do not hear from Stephanie in by Tuesday, I will announce a runner-up winner.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Bloggy Giveaways is hosting a Carnival this week of what else .  .  .  .   Giveaways!  Giveaways all over the Blogosphere!

So, since I've been doing a few giveaways here, I decided to join in and cap off the month with a big one!

This afghan, handmade by me, is varigated Purple, Teal, Pink/Magenta and bordered with black.

The stitch is very textured, as I hope you can see in the photos.

And it has a simple bobbled edging.  (Underneath the corner is the smooth back of the afghan.) This afghan measures approximately 58"x76".

If you'd like to be the winner of this stunning Stained Glass Afghan, then please leave a comment before  6:00 a.m. (PST) on Sunday, February 3rd.    The winner (maybe YOU!!) will be announced before 12:00 noon.  Edited to add: Due a surprise from my husband, the winner will be announced by 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening.

HERE is my other Bloggy Giveaway, happening now - Take a look!

Click HERE to see all of the other great things you can enter to win!