Feeling A Bit Under the Weather

I thought I would come up for air and say that I am feeling a bit under the weather. Yes, it is cold season and our family this winter seems to be getting the latest, most new cold passing through. This latest one I just feel like crawling in bed with a good book and a tea but I need to keep going because my family does. I am very thankful being able to take the Rose Hip Syrup I made in the December. Nursing my cold with herbal teas, apple cider tonic, and earl grey green tea. Yesterday I made a big pot of chicken soup and a batch of whole wheat bread that should last a couple days. At this point I don't know if I will be posting a simple pleasure and Friday Farm Girl's posts or not. I guess time will tell. But I do hope to get some blog visiting in here and there. Hope you all are in good health.

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My MIL's Stripy Wooly Socks and Ramblings

With all the day dreaming I find myself slipping into here and there thinking about spring. I need to remember to savor the now. I know that in the next week or two it will be the beginning of starting seeds on the plant table. Which means in the next couple of months we will start prepping the garden to be planted and it will be full speed ahead from there till New Years again. So, I need to remember to savor this time of quiet days sitting and stitching and planning.

It also shows me I need to get a move on certain projects I wanted to get done this winter. I better get them started and finished in proper time. I really want to clean out what will be our future bathroom. Ohh for those who have known me for the last few years...well yes things have crept back into that room. I need to just get it all out and not allow anything other than what is needed for the future bathroom back in there. I think I will get started on this mammoth of a project a week from today. I will have to block out my Saturday for that alone. Maybe a pre-made frozen dinner is a good idea or a crock pot dinner. I think I will have to get hubby to get me a kitchen timer this week so I can set intervals of work and rest periods. Then what ever doesn't get done that day I will set a goal of 15-30 minutes each day till it is done.

Do you have any mammoth projects that are calling your name this winter?

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Friday Farm Girls ~ Super Simple Bread Recipe

This is the recipe that started my bread making career way back when I was 12 years old. *grin* If you haven't made bread before it is a wonderful starting point. This bread is made with store bought flour which acts different than home ground wheat. If you want to make bread from freshly ground flour then go HERE.

~Super Simple Bread Recipe~

Soften in a small bowl for a few minutes till frothy.

-1 rounded Tablespoon or one package of active dry yeast

-1/4 cup of warm water ( can test temperature by using a candy thermometer and you want it to be between 105 to 115*F)

- 1 Tablespoon sugar

~Combined in a large bowl:

-2 cups scalded milk ( heat till steamy but do not boil)

-2 Tablespoons sugar

-2 Tablespoons salt

-2 Tablespoons shortening or... margarine or.... butter.

~Cool to lukewarm and add:

-yeast mix

-2 cups of flour

Beat with mixer for 5 minutes. Add enough flour to make a firm ball. Which is about 4 cups flour. Knead until smooth.

-cover with a cloth and let it rise 30 minutes.

-Punch down

-divide dough into 2 pieces.

-Rolls each into a rectangle.

-roll up to a firm smooth loaf.

-place in a buttered bread pan and place into oven at 200 *F for 1 hour ( check at 30 min.) until doubled in size.

-Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.

( To read other Farm Girls @Heart and/or join in on the fun go visit my friend Lori's blog by clicking on the graphic)

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Simple Pleasures~ Brightness of Snow

Being a Pacific Northwest raised gal I have never grown tired of the novelty of snow sense I have moved inland. I love how it brightens everything around. It helps with the winter blahs so much. Each time it blows in a new layer on the tired old snow it is all fresh and new again. I can sit by the window and get lost in watching the flakes come down. Sometimes big flakes some times small. Sometimes they come down fast and sometimes slow. I also love how our Lord decided to make it that there are no two flakes alike. All unique and all beautiful...just like the way he created us. I also like winter for the time to slow down and ponder, to think of things that we don't seem to have much time any other time of the year. I also like to take extra time this time of the year to stitch projects, which create more time to think. I work hard not to create too much business so I can soak up this time. Yes, I try not to rush this time and enjoy it for what it is.

.....Simple Pleasures is to remind me to stop, to look, to listen, to slow down and pay closer attention to the simple things in life. And when ever I do, I am never disappointed.

To join click on the Simple Pleasures graphic and see what it is all about.

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::right now::

right now, I am ...

:: marveling .How it is acting like spring already.

:: plotting what we will be ordering in our seed order and planting in the garden when spring is here.

:: finishing up my MIL's stripy wooly socks.

:: stopping and pondering where I am in life and what goals I want to work towards.

:: wondering how time has gone so fast and how I am old enough to be a mom of a son who is married.

:: listening to Nicolas watching how they made the Lord of the Rings DVD's...again.

:: feeling like I am discovering so much and growing so much in my spiritual walk and learning so much more right now in my homemaking skills.

:: loving meeting so many new Sweet Sister's in Christ on blogspot. I am thankful I made the jump to come here.

:: hoping to get a lot more organised as this year progresses.

:: wanting more hours in my day to get to do all I want to and still have time to rest too. *grin*

:: thinking and thinking and thinking what I want to do in our little homeschool.

:: making many baby steps to much better health.

:: planning to try to make cottage cheese soon.

:: learning how to make my own beauty products and trying to expand my sewing skills. I got to get on my dream sewing projects soon.

:: thankful for all that has been given and not given. I am coming to a place of contentment.

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He Hath Heard My Voice

Our family was not able to make it to church on Sunday because our road (which is on a steep hill) was a sheet of ice. After we attempted and thankfully parked our car and we went home. I prayed for what our family would study together that morning. And the Lord gave me a verse...

Psalm 116

¹I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

²Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

I was very encouraged that day as our family started a bible study together. We are using Understanding The Bible~ A Biblical Survey. It covers from Genesis to Revelations. I love how the verse the Lord gave and saw how he lead our family that day. It also spoke to my heart that my Lord has not forgotten me and knows what I need. I love how the Lord never turns His back on us even when we might feel that He is distant. He isn't but what it means I need to put all that doesn't matter aside and to gather at His feet and and pray all the more fervently and gather close to Him.

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My Favorite Whole Wheat Bread Recipe and Dough Enhancers

Update:

I will share next week how to make some simple breads using flour bought from the store. They DO act differently than home ground flour.

Using Dough Enhancers When Making "Home Ground" Whole Wheat Bread

Sense last summer I have been figuring out how to make yummy things from grinding my own wheat in our grain grinder. I haven’t been fully happy with my bread till last summer. The change ? It was using dough enhancers. I haven’t bought any pre-made ones because it had things that my 2ds is allergic to. So of course I have been researching on the net. And I found some answers. ((happy dance))

Here is a link to a neat video Dough Enhancer for making Homemade Bread

*******Here is the bread recipe that I used and loved ! It is at BreadExperience .com **********

Tips for using your own everyday items as dough enhancers in WHEAT BREAD: (It’s best to use ALL THREE of these enhancers when making whole wheat bread)

Gluten: use 1/2 T. – 1 T. per cup of flour (this means before you measure a cup of flour place the 1/2 T.-1 T. gluten in the bottom of your cup and then measure flour as usual)

Apple Cider (or white) Vinegar: use the same amount of vinegar that you are using for yeast (i.e. 1 t. yeast – 1 t. vinegar)
I have to say that prefer to use Apple Cider vinegar because it is healthier and more natural but white vinegar works just fine.

Potato Flakes or Potato Startch: use 1/8 to 1/4 C. per loaf of bread you are making, experiment to see what works best in your recipe. (do not substitute in potato pearls, they don’t dissolve as easily and are artificially flavored which you will be able to taste in your bread)

If you are making bread and want to give a extra umph try it and here is some must sees in how to make really good bread videos. I learned soooooooo much from this gal and I have been making bread for 30 years.

***Lately I haven't been using Potato Starch and it does pretty okay. It you make some bread from this recipe I hope you share that you did. I would love to hear how it worked.

Here is a series of videos that REALLY helped me in this learning curve.

1/8 Making Fresh Ground Whole Wheat Bread

2/8 Making Fresh Ground Whole Wheat Bread

3/8 Making Fresh Ground Whole Wheat Bread

4/8 Making Fresh Ground Whole Wheat Bread

5/8 Making Fresh Ground Whole Wheat Bread

6/8 Making Fresh Ground Whole Wheat Bread

7/8 Making Fresh Ground Whole Wheat Bread

8/8 Making Fresh Ground Whole Wheat Bread

Participating in ....

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Simple Pleasures~ Knitting in the Round

This week I took some yarn that I had hand dyed and then made a sweet gift ( a cowl) for a sweet friend. There is something so fun about knitting in the round. I added a bit of lace knitting to it but not too much because it would be lost in the texture of the yarn. I am very pleased how it turned out. I find when I have a lot on my mind and heart I tend to knit more. It is a very therapeutic way to sooth the nerves and mind. And a wonderful time to pray.

.....Simple Pleasures is to remind me to stop, to look, to listen, to slow down and pay closer attention to the simple things in life. And when ever I do, I am never disappointed.

To join click on the Simple Pleasures graphic and see what it is all about.

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Important Prayer Request for my DIL

Update On Essie:

Essie is now home and doing well. Cat scan was good and Philip has to keep a close eye on her and check on her every couple of hours. And he has the next couple of days off so he can be with her. Thank you sooooo much for ALL your prayers. Please keep them in your prayers for the next couple of days for full healing and no problems.

Please pray for my Daughter in Love. My two sons and Essie went snowboarding today and she had a accident. She is suffering from a concision and is suffering from short term memory loss and is having a hard time thinking clearly. She is in good hands and with prayer covering will be such a blessing for her and the family. Hubby and Luke are with Philip and Essie at this time. Essie is being transported from our local hospital to a different one near by. Thank you for your prayers they are so appreciated.

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What A Friend We Have in Jesus

The Lord woke me up this week with this song singing in my heart. I have had some sweet blogging sister's in Christ impacting me in being simple and drawing near our Lord. I have been laying down what is not important, my fears, praying more and just laying everything at His feet. I have been feeling so blessed and I can finally hear the whispers of the Lord again. It has been too long. It feels so good to lay all my doubts down at his feet and to ask Him to meet me at my unbelief. Yes, our Lord can take it and will come along side us and pick us up in His arms and love and minister to our souls in these times. Thank you Lord for who you are and for all your love despite our sinful nature.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

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Friday Farm Girl~ Doodle Stitching and Other Projects

Today in my Farm Girls @Heart post I want to share how I have discovered the love of Doodle Stitching. In years past I use to cross-stitch but now I have found with all the things this homeschool mama has to do. The mental power to do cross-stitching is to much. I like needlework that is more freeing and forgiving. I like how the author encourages you to carry on and create your own designs. I hope this coming year to spend some time each week just...doodling. And I hope to be able to create some of my own doodles. I love crafts that I can just play with colour and shapes and only the sky is the limit.

I also have been knitting a shawl for a charity. I hope in the next week or so this will be done. I have done a lot of complex designs but sometimes a very simple one will stump me, lol. The middle yarn overs that create the lacy holes sometimes will move to one side or the other. Not what I want. I have to be very careful this doesn't happen. I don't know if you can see it very well but I made a beaded stitch marker. I hope to be making some to put in a Etsy store. Trying to find a way to sell my crafts and not have to leave the home to do it.

( To read other Farm Girls @Heart and/or join in on the fun go visit my friend Lori's blog by clicking on the graphic)

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Simple Pleasures~ Comfort Foods

In my previous post I was talking about my All In A Frump Day. And of course days like this a person tends to search out comfort foods. What is my comfort food? Cookies... and even better if it is chocolate chip cookies. Well to be exact it was Cinnamon Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. I think just going through the motions of mixing and baking the cookies help with easing and sorting out my emotions. Having the simple pleasure of the process of making and enjoying ( a few) cookies on a frump of a day.

.....Simple Pleasures is to remind me to stop, to look, to listen, to slow down and pay closer attention to the simple things in life. And when ever I do, I am never disappointed.

To join click on the Simple Pleasures graphic and see what it is all about.

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All In A Frump Day

I am in a frump today. I have been feeling out of sorts and couldn't really put my finger on it. Then after emailing a dear friend back and forth I figured it out. My dad's birthday is today and I miss him very much. He passed away some years ago and I miss him dearly. I was a daddy's girl. I remember loving my dad so much. He would come to breakfast in his white undershirt to breakfast and I would do the same to be like him. He would eat till his belly was rounded and pat it and would copy him in this. I followed him around and LOVED watching him build and remodel the house I grew up in. I was fascinated by all he could do with his tools and wood and building supplies. I also loved that he carved and loved all the things he made. I thought he was the smartest man ever.

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Learning and Life

As my earlier post showed it is a time of dreaming, reflecting and planning. I am looking at what we have gotten done and what we still have yet to do. It seems that I always pick a lot more read aloud's than I can get done. We are In the second book of the of the MacNeil's adventure trilogy, "Under A Shooting Star" by Maxine Trottier. It is a series of historical novels in the setting of very end of the 1700's and the early 1800's. The second book is during the year of 1812. So far, like the first book the boys don't want me to stop once I start reading it. It really gives a flavor of what it would have been like for the early settlers of Canada. I highly recommend it.

I am starting to get ready to make my list of what we need to continue on in our little homeschool. I have to admit I don't have such a cut and dry start and finish in our school the last few years. School the last few years has blended one into the next. When one of my boys finish their math books we move onto the next. We are doing some catch up in language arts. I am trying to make sure the basics are covered and we have a solid foundation. This coming year I feel like I need to dive more fully into the Charlotte Mason style that I have steered a bit off of. I joined the Charlotte Mason Online Organizer and hope to get that all figured out and going asap. I have to admit that I want us to just continue on with our Canadian History curriculum. We have been enjoying it so much and I don't want to try to rush through what we have left just because we are not done with it this year. So I think we will continue on.

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