It's been a busy day here, and it's been Monday all...day...long!
Overnight I experimented in making a double-batch of yogurt, but, unfortunately, it didn't work out so well. I think there should probably be adjustments made in how long, initially, to heat the milk, etc. The yogurt tastes okay, but it is extremely thin and kind of clumpy...almost curdled...looking. I will still use it...probably more in cooking than for fresh yogurt. I will purchase another container of Oikos Greek yogurt and start another batch as soon as possible and, from now on, I will only make one batch at a time...even if I do have to do it twice a week instead of once.
First thing this morning we had a refrigerator crisis. When I got up everything in the refrigerator was warm and several items in the freezer were defrosted. The fan was frozen in a block of ice, but in just a short time I had the cover off, the block of ice removed, and the fan running. I was so thankful that the motor wasn't burned out. The freezer was working great, but, after cleaning the fridge out I discovered that there was still ice blocking the flow of cold air to the refrigerator part. At the suggestion of a friend, I used a hair dryer to melt the ice and that seemed to do the trick. The fridge is now cool and running well. Praise the Lord!
As part of trying to use up items in the refrigerator and freezer that had thawed and/or needed used up right away I baked four loaves of bread, baked six dozen banana, oat-bran muffins, and made a big pot of beef stew. I froze part of the muffins for later, saved some for breakfasts this week, served the stew and bread for supper at home, and delivered stew and bread and muffins to two other households for supper as well. Very little of what was in the fridge had to be thrown out.
Despite all of this I managed to get in a good day of school with ds, ran errands for our own household, and my dad's, as well, and did two loads of laundry. I am very thankful to the Lord for keeping everything up and running...including ME! He is so good to us!
Well, it's been a long day and I'm going to say, "Good night!" I pray that all is well with you and yours. God bless all here.
Love and Hugs,
~Rebecca
Showing posts with label HEARTH AND HOME Notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HEARTH AND HOME Notes. Show all posts
Monday, April 4, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Hearth and Home Notes - 4/2/11 (Part 2)
Wow! Two HEARTH AND HOME NOTES in one day! That's a first! LOL!
I've got all the bedding done and it's hanging out on the line to dry. I just started my first load of clothing. After that I've just got whites and towels left to go, then the laundry will be done.
I've also organized the pantry and all of this week's coupon buys and have the bedrooms and bathroom done. Next comes the livingroom, then the kitchen and back porch.
For lunch I decided to make fish and chips (ds has a fish allergy and it makes his lips and face swell up like a big balloon and he can't breathe. That's always fun, so I don't make it anymore when he is home). Anyway, dd told me that Dillon's in Pittsburg sells these HUGE bags of wild-caught cod and salmon, so I bought a bag of each. The cod is what I chose to make today. I baked it in the oven with lemon, light salt, and black pepper, and made oven-baked cottage fries to go with it (potatoes sliced into rounds, drizzled with olive oil, and baked @ 450 degrees until tender and slightly brown). I baked it all on one tray and by the time dh got home from Dad's a late lunch was ready. I served the fish on bread with tarter sauce (a little Miracle Whip with dd's home-canned relish mixed in with it) and the fries with ketchup. Delicious and filling!
I've got all the bedding done and it's hanging out on the line to dry. I just started my first load of clothing. After that I've just got whites and towels left to go, then the laundry will be done.
I've also organized the pantry and all of this week's coupon buys and have the bedrooms and bathroom done. Next comes the livingroom, then the kitchen and back porch.
For lunch I decided to make fish and chips (ds has a fish allergy and it makes his lips and face swell up like a big balloon and he can't breathe. That's always fun, so I don't make it anymore when he is home). Anyway, dd told me that Dillon's in Pittsburg sells these HUGE bags of wild-caught cod and salmon, so I bought a bag of each. The cod is what I chose to make today. I baked it in the oven with lemon, light salt, and black pepper, and made oven-baked cottage fries to go with it (potatoes sliced into rounds, drizzled with olive oil, and baked @ 450 degrees until tender and slightly brown). I baked it all on one tray and by the time dh got home from Dad's a late lunch was ready. I served the fish on bread with tarter sauce (a little Miracle Whip with dd's home-canned relish mixed in with it) and the fries with ketchup. Delicious and filling!
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| Fish and Chips - Before Baking |
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| Fish and Chips - After Baking |
Hearth and Home Notes - 4/2/11
I am enjoying one of those deliciously rare moments when I'm alone in the house (after 22 years of homeschooling it doesn't happen often)! Ds spent the night at his sister's and dh is away helping my dad with a project this morning. I am sitting here having ham and provolone on a mini whole-wheat bagel and a cup of tea before digging into today's tasks.
There's so much to do that I hardly know where to begin...the fridge needs cleaned, I've got a mountain of bedding to wash (THAT I've already got started), every room of the house needs deep-cleaned...as do the sheds, garage, and chicken house, the yard needs mowing...as does our other property across town, and the list goes on and on. It is now that I need to slow down, prayerfully make a list, pace myself, roll up my sleeves, set to work, do what I can, and not worry about the rest. It will all get taken care of in due time...and, if it doesn't...it's not the end of the world. I need to just take one thing at a time and do all in God's timing...not my own.
I do have a couple of praise reports...
1) My dad is doing very well. It's hard to believe that just a few days ago the doctor was telling us how amazed she was that, after operating at such a low percentage of oxygen for so long, that he was still alive and able to talk about it...and, now, he's up and out and about. It's wonderful! God is so good! Dad was even able to go to Lamar and play in his band at the nursing home this week! THAT is awesome! (That's always the measure of how well my dad really is or is not...if he's still playing music, all is well with the world. :)
2) We just paid off another credit card! Praise the Lord! That's one less bill to pay each month and all the extra that we were paying on that one will now go towards the balance of the next one. Now we can really start snowballing our debt!
I want out from under the credit cards as soon as possible. Truth is, a few years ago we were headed towards it, when everything went haywire and we've never recovered. We found ourselves in situations that were beyond our control and we had to do what we had to to in order to make everything come together. In just a short time our savings was wiped out and our credit cards were the only thing keeping us afloat with gasoline, home repairs, etc. BUT we finally got to a point a few months ago where we had to say, "We just can't do this anymore!" We put a plan in motion and, hard as it's been, we've pretty much stuck to it. There have been a couple of times we've HAD to put gasoline or home repairs, etc. on the card, but we've worked towards getting those things paid right back off of there and, so far, so good! Anyway, with the pay-off of this card, it gives us hope for the future and we know that our plan (actually, I believe that it is God's plan) is working! Again...praise the Lord!
Well, I better get busy! My bagel is gone, as is the tea, and the first load of bedding is ready to be hung out on the line. You all have a beautiful weekend and I'll be with you again soon. God bless all who read this!
All My Love,
~Rebecca
There's so much to do that I hardly know where to begin...the fridge needs cleaned, I've got a mountain of bedding to wash (THAT I've already got started), every room of the house needs deep-cleaned...as do the sheds, garage, and chicken house, the yard needs mowing...as does our other property across town, and the list goes on and on. It is now that I need to slow down, prayerfully make a list, pace myself, roll up my sleeves, set to work, do what I can, and not worry about the rest. It will all get taken care of in due time...and, if it doesn't...it's not the end of the world. I need to just take one thing at a time and do all in God's timing...not my own.
I do have a couple of praise reports...
1) My dad is doing very well. It's hard to believe that just a few days ago the doctor was telling us how amazed she was that, after operating at such a low percentage of oxygen for so long, that he was still alive and able to talk about it...and, now, he's up and out and about. It's wonderful! God is so good! Dad was even able to go to Lamar and play in his band at the nursing home this week! THAT is awesome! (That's always the measure of how well my dad really is or is not...if he's still playing music, all is well with the world. :)
2) We just paid off another credit card! Praise the Lord! That's one less bill to pay each month and all the extra that we were paying on that one will now go towards the balance of the next one. Now we can really start snowballing our debt!
I want out from under the credit cards as soon as possible. Truth is, a few years ago we were headed towards it, when everything went haywire and we've never recovered. We found ourselves in situations that were beyond our control and we had to do what we had to to in order to make everything come together. In just a short time our savings was wiped out and our credit cards were the only thing keeping us afloat with gasoline, home repairs, etc. BUT we finally got to a point a few months ago where we had to say, "We just can't do this anymore!" We put a plan in motion and, hard as it's been, we've pretty much stuck to it. There have been a couple of times we've HAD to put gasoline or home repairs, etc. on the card, but we've worked towards getting those things paid right back off of there and, so far, so good! Anyway, with the pay-off of this card, it gives us hope for the future and we know that our plan (actually, I believe that it is God's plan) is working! Again...praise the Lord!
Well, I better get busy! My bagel is gone, as is the tea, and the first load of bedding is ready to be hung out on the line. You all have a beautiful weekend and I'll be with you again soon. God bless all who read this!
All My Love,
~Rebecca
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Hearth and Home Notes - 3/29/11
Yesterday was heavenly! I was home all day doing what I love most...cooking, schooling, taking care of my family...putting in a 'normal' day. Today everything flipped around and now this week is turning into a repeat of last week.
My dad had to be back to the doctor this morning. As far as the breathing goes, he is doing much better than he was last week, but the radiologist's report came back and they discovered what they think is a small mass in his right lung...something that was not in his last CT scan three years ago. He is scheduled for a new CT scan tomorrow morning. We continue to trust the Lord as we move forward in this process and continued prayers on my dad's behalf would be most appreciated.
On a good note...the oxygen company delivered Dad's small portable oxygen tanks this afternoon and he was feeling well enough this evening to go play music with his band. THAT is a huge blessing!
Thursday morning I have to have Pat back in Springfield. She has done really well following surgery and we expect to get a good report from her surgeon!
Today while I was gone John got the flooring in front of the kitchen sink grouted and it looks so nice. All we have left to do now is get the trim for it.
Well, I had a few other things to share, but I am out of time. I will try to share more later. Until then, I leave you with this verse of scripture...one that I am trying to hang on to in the midst of uncertainty...
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matthew 6:34).
Until Next Time,
~Rebecca
My dad had to be back to the doctor this morning. As far as the breathing goes, he is doing much better than he was last week, but the radiologist's report came back and they discovered what they think is a small mass in his right lung...something that was not in his last CT scan three years ago. He is scheduled for a new CT scan tomorrow morning. We continue to trust the Lord as we move forward in this process and continued prayers on my dad's behalf would be most appreciated.
On a good note...the oxygen company delivered Dad's small portable oxygen tanks this afternoon and he was feeling well enough this evening to go play music with his band. THAT is a huge blessing!
Thursday morning I have to have Pat back in Springfield. She has done really well following surgery and we expect to get a good report from her surgeon!
Today while I was gone John got the flooring in front of the kitchen sink grouted and it looks so nice. All we have left to do now is get the trim for it.
Well, I had a few other things to share, but I am out of time. I will try to share more later. Until then, I leave you with this verse of scripture...one that I am trying to hang on to in the midst of uncertainty...
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matthew 6:34).
Until Next Time,
~Rebecca
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Hearth and Home Notes - 3/27/11
The past week has been a blur of minor emergencies, medical appointments, and unavoidable stress. Mentally, emotionally, and physically I am exhausted; spiritually I continue to cling to Jesus. He is my Rock, my fortress, my shield and buckler...a very present help in times of trouble. Praise the wonderful name of Jesus!
Last Tuesday I took Pat (a long-time friend that has been in my life since I was 10) to the hospital in Springfield where she had surgery on her leg. Since my last experience of going with someone and sitting through surgery by myself didn't go so well (it was my husband and he almost died) I was a little apprehensive about going and sitting through Pat's surgery by myself, but the Lord was with us and all went well. Pat is well on her way to health and healing and will be good as new in no time. We go back to the doctor in Springfield on Thursday.
Wednesday I was with family for a medical appointment in Joplin, and, on Thursday, yet another appointment with other family members...including my dad. He had been having breathing problems for over a week and it was getting worse and worse. A week ago the doctor had ordered up an overnight blood oxygen test and by Thursday the results were in and they were not good. The doctor said that my dad was a record patient for her...the patient with the lowest oxygen level readings ever to live and tell about it! (Arggh!)
After an examination and a chest x-ray my dad was given a steroid shot and loaded up with prescriptions for a whole host of medications to combat every possible lung-affecting illness known to man. The doctor called it "aggressive" treatment. She also ordered immediate in-home oxygen and we are awaiting further word on the x-rays. By Thursday night, the prescriptions were filled and oxygen was delivered to my dad's home. He goes back to the doctor on Tuesday and prayers on his behalf would be greatly appreciated!
Friday was spent grocery shopping and trying to regain some lost ground in the area of housekeeping and laundry. School was a total loss this past week.
Saturday was spent with family. Our son, Buddy, and his family came up for the day. Buddy went over and visited with Grandpa, and our daughter-in-law, Christy, and grandlittles, Lizzy, T.J. and Sarah, spent the day here with John and Tony and I. We had a nice visit, tea, and fellowship. Buddy and Christy and the children ended up having supper with us and that was nice in itself as it doesn't happen nearly as often as we would like.
Today was quiet. After church we went out together as a family, had lunch, and picked up a couple of things at the store for my dad. After we got home we watched a movie and just spent the afternoon and evening relaxing.
I can't help but wonder what the week ahead holds, but, as I think of that, I am reminded of an old song that our oldest son and daughter used to sing at church together when they were children...and I am comforted. The name of the song is I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW and the first verse goes like this...
I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
With that, I know that whatever lies ahead...it's okay...because Jesus is there and He is beside me. I pray that all is well with you and yours and that all your tomorrows will be filled with God's greatest blessings.
Still Clinging To Him,
~Rebecca
Last Tuesday I took Pat (a long-time friend that has been in my life since I was 10) to the hospital in Springfield where she had surgery on her leg. Since my last experience of going with someone and sitting through surgery by myself didn't go so well (it was my husband and he almost died) I was a little apprehensive about going and sitting through Pat's surgery by myself, but the Lord was with us and all went well. Pat is well on her way to health and healing and will be good as new in no time. We go back to the doctor in Springfield on Thursday.
Wednesday I was with family for a medical appointment in Joplin, and, on Thursday, yet another appointment with other family members...including my dad. He had been having breathing problems for over a week and it was getting worse and worse. A week ago the doctor had ordered up an overnight blood oxygen test and by Thursday the results were in and they were not good. The doctor said that my dad was a record patient for her...the patient with the lowest oxygen level readings ever to live and tell about it! (Arggh!)
After an examination and a chest x-ray my dad was given a steroid shot and loaded up with prescriptions for a whole host of medications to combat every possible lung-affecting illness known to man. The doctor called it "aggressive" treatment. She also ordered immediate in-home oxygen and we are awaiting further word on the x-rays. By Thursday night, the prescriptions were filled and oxygen was delivered to my dad's home. He goes back to the doctor on Tuesday and prayers on his behalf would be greatly appreciated!
Friday was spent grocery shopping and trying to regain some lost ground in the area of housekeeping and laundry. School was a total loss this past week.
Saturday was spent with family. Our son, Buddy, and his family came up for the day. Buddy went over and visited with Grandpa, and our daughter-in-law, Christy, and grandlittles, Lizzy, T.J. and Sarah, spent the day here with John and Tony and I. We had a nice visit, tea, and fellowship. Buddy and Christy and the children ended up having supper with us and that was nice in itself as it doesn't happen nearly as often as we would like.
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| Granddaughters Sarah and Lizzy |
Today was quiet. After church we went out together as a family, had lunch, and picked up a couple of things at the store for my dad. After we got home we watched a movie and just spent the afternoon and evening relaxing.
I can't help but wonder what the week ahead holds, but, as I think of that, I am reminded of an old song that our oldest son and daughter used to sing at church together when they were children...and I am comforted. The name of the song is I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW and the first verse goes like this...
I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
With that, I know that whatever lies ahead...it's okay...because Jesus is there and He is beside me. I pray that all is well with you and yours and that all your tomorrows will be filled with God's greatest blessings.
Still Clinging To Him,
~Rebecca
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
HEARTH AND HOME Notes - 3/8/11
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| A Little Sunshine On An Otherwise Dreary Day |
I awoke this morning to a pounding headache, heavy rains, and a leaky roof. When recording my household expenditures I discovered that I am $100.00 off. Granted, it's a $100.00 to the good, but, for the life of me, I can't figure out where I've made my mistake. And what do you do when this happens...especially when it's this early in the month?
Despite all I am determined to maintain a positive attitude and keep pressing forward through my day. So far I have managed to make the bed, shower and get dressed, have my morning quiet time with the Lord, do two loads of laundry, work on the family budget, and feed my family. Here are a couple of verses that stuck with me from my morning study...
"But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter up of my head" (Psalm 3:13).
"He brought me up also out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings" (Psalm 40:2).
Today is one of those days that I need a lot of the Lord's lifting. (smile)
Have a beautiful day in the Lord!
All My Love,
~Rebecca
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