The LaMere Family

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Saturday's ramblings

Posted on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 12:43 by Abundant Blessings Farm - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

So, it's been a long week....very long. I'm so thankful that Saturday is here!

I'd be more thankful if fall were here too...but it's coming...can't get here soon enough for me!

This week had two days of little sleep. Honey worked in Huntsville Tuesday and Wednesday. That's an 1-1/2 hour drive from here. And he had to be there to work at 4am. Yep, 4am. That meant leaving home at 2:30...and getting home at 2:30. He was one tired man when he got home each evening. The first day of this was my MNO...and I had such a great time! But, I got home about midnight..and was, as usual, too keyed up to sleep. So, I computed till the alarm went off at 1:30...then couldn't get to sleep till Honey called to tell me he'd made it safely there, at 3:40.

We did get to bed at a reasonable time Wednesday evening...but I feel like I've been working my way back to restful ever since.

Thursday brought a baby shower for a friend of mine. What an angel her new little babe is! Rebecca and I both soaked up the baby holding time! Natalie gave me her "Mama, you need to get pregnant" speech so many times that I lost count! If there ever was a family that desired a babe, this one is it.

Friday, we were home all day. Love those days! We finished up our school week. Rebecca mixed up both the bread dough and the pizza dough. What an awesome help she is to me.

Today, Toby and Thomas are planning to do some inside work...after they tidy up a few things outside. It's overcast and threatening to rain, so they figured an inside job would be good. There's a list a mile long of things that to be done....both just for normal life and for getting our home ready to list for sale.

Oooh! I found one home yesterday that looked beautiful..but it was only a 3 bedroom..but 3-1/2 baths!! Can you imagine?? We have only 1 bathroom now..whatever would we do with 3-1/2?! It also had an inground pool and pool house. But only a little over 7 acres.....bummer.....

Rebecca is back with some organizing boxes for me. I'm on a quest to get this office organized and usable!! I need to organize the school books we are not currently using and the completed school work. That will free up alot of space! Then it's time to be serious about getting things listed for sale...either eBay or elsewhere. Too much stuff!!!

Guess my blogging time is about up...gotta get some things accomplished today!

Pondering Things

Posted on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 02:36 by <>< B. - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Lately, I have been reading a lot from my Bible, as a result I am both gleaning insights from it and also coming up with lots of questions. Today I read from Matthew 25 and this part jumped out at me:

Matt 25:35-45
   35 - For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
   36 - Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
   37 - Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave the drink?
   38 - When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
   39 - Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
   40 - And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
   41 - Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
   42 - For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
   43 - I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
   44 - Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
   45 - Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

I've read these verses over and over and the way that I am understanding it is that it is our duty (and privilege) as Christians to help those that are in need. Now you might be scratching your head and going "Why would she say it's a privilege?", I say that it is a privilege because it says right in Scripture that when we help someone in need we are helping our Lord (remember, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.").

I also don't think that helping someone out is limited to what is listed in the above verses, sometimes the most meaningful way to help someone out is to sit there with them and listen to them with understanding and not judge what they are going through. It's really easy to start saying "You know you really should be doing this, this and this", especially when we aren't physically going through what the other person is going through.

Sometimes some of us are just plain better equipped to help people out - for example, when my Dad was in the Cancer Hospital my sister was driving my Mom and siblings back and forth from our hometown to the hospital so we could stay with my Dad. I totally felt left out in that I wasn't helping as much as I felt my siblings were - so I did what God has blessed me to do: I cooked for my Mom, while others were there physically for her (most of my siblings live closer to her than I do), I made sure that she had ready-made meals in the freezer so she didn't have to worry about cooking for herself.

To me, cooking a little extra at our meals and freezing it for her was a small thing - my Mom appreciated everything that her children did during that difficult time and even though it didn't seem like much to me, I was doing my Christian duty, I was helping my Lord by helping her.

And yes, sometimes it kind of feels like an inconvenience to help others out: I'm sick, I'm on holidays, my house is a mess, etc., etc., etc. (you've probably heard those excuses and more). However, it is soooooooo worth it when we do step up and help out, we just need to take the first step and follow God's lead.

Gustav and Summer UPDATES!!!!!

Posted on September 5, 2008 at 12:15 by Karen - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

WE HAVE ELECTRICITY AGAIN! There were several "Thank you, Lords" and "Hallelujahs" spoken (loudly) around here by my hubby and I when the power came back on yesterday at 5:pm!! I even found out today that at least one of our grocery stores is up and running and has replenished what they lost. So after being shut in for days I'm off to the bank and the store today. I hope I never take those things for granted again...try going for very long without your bank, grocery store or gas station...

As for my daughter, Summer, she is expected to be in the hospital on into next week we know. They are trying to reach her Urologist but haven't been successful due to the phone systems being down in the city where he is. They have found that one of her kidneys is not emptying like it should. It's emptying at about half the speed her other one is and there is a blockage. That's probably why she's been swelling so much. All along it's been kidney stones and infections but now kidney function? That worries me a lot. Poor thing. Thank you for remembering her in your prayers. God bless you for that!

Taco Soup

Posted on 2008-Sep-5 at 11:08 by Kim Wolf<>< - 5 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Believe it or not...IT'S SEPTEMBER!! Those cooler temps are on the way! I LOVE fall...it's my FAVORITE time of year!! Along with those falling temperatures that invite us to pull on our favorite sweaters, collect pumkins, go on hayrides and build bonfires comes my desire to make wonderful, hearty soups and stews! One of our family's favorite cold weather soups is Taco Soup!! Oh...it is yummy, stustaining, it's even attractive to look at in your bowl. I hope you enjoy it!!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

TACO SOUP

1 lb. ground beef or chuck
1/2 med. onion - finely chopped
1 lg. bunch of fresh cilantro - finely chopped
4-6 jalapeno peppers (depending on your taste buds & stomach lining!) - finely chopped
2 15-16 oz. cans kidney beans (UNdrained)
2 14-15 oz. cans whole kernal corn (UNdrained)
1 15-16 oz. can black beans (optional)
2 15 oz. cans tomato sauce
1 pkg (1-1/2 TB) taco seasoning
1 c. water

~ Brown beef, drain; add onion, peppers, 1/2 of the cilantro and cook until onions and peppers start to get tender.
~ Mix everything together in a dutch oven OR crockpot.
~ Heat through in dutch oven for 45 min. - 1 hour OR in crockpot for 2-3 hours on low.
~ Top with shredded cheddar or colby-jack cheese, sour cream and corn tortilla chips crumbled like crackers.

Crafting...

Posted on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 08:13 by Chas - 5 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Hello friends. I am so glad you dropped by for a visit today. My pile is growing right? I have been spending most of my alone time in the evening working on different projects for the festival, only 22 more days! I have actually sold 2 sets of pumpkins off my kitchen table, so I am thankful for that. I know I had someone say they were interested in buying but didn't know how, just click here on my Etsy shop or you can look over to your left and click... you can find all my goodies there. :) Thanks!
Like I said, Shannon has been on an out of town job and so I have had quite a bit of time to myself after the children have gone to sleep... so my hands have been busy.
We have been schooling wherever I have been crafting... it is nice to spread books all over the floor and let the children work, a change of scenery is good for them sometimes. :)
I again want to thank you all for your kind comments and prayers for us during this time of uncertainty. We are so blessed to have so many care for us and pray for us. We appreciate you guys more than you know!!!
***Hey, is the Autumn Cottage too big for you ya'lls screen, it fits on mine, but I don't want it to be wonky on others. Please let me know.***
xoxo

Freezing My Easter Eggs

Posted on September 4, 2008 at 03:35 by Karen - 4 Comments - Post Comment - Link

All my hens are laying now. I just love all the different colors I get each day. I knew I'd be getting pastel blue, green and pink, and of course brown and white, but I'm loving the deep olive green eggs. Those were a surprise to me. Look at that tiny brown egg in the basket! I put it in the pot when I was boiling eggs for potato salad and egg salad today and snapped a picture of it in a teaspoon right before it got salted and peppered and popped in my mouth! Mmmm-good!

I was beginning to get quite a number of eggs in the refrigerator so I knew it was time to freeze some. Recently I have cracked bunches of eggs into a big bowl and scrambled them, added a little salt and poured them into a freezer bag to keep until I needed them for a scrambled egg breakfast. (or supper!)

Today I wanted to freeze them individually to use in recipes like cakes, cookies, pies, so I emptied out my ice trays and cracked an egg into each section and this time added a pinch of sugar and broke the yolk of each egg. {Always remember to add a bit of salt or sugar before freezing.} Once they're good and frozen solid I'll just pop them out and put them into a freezer bag. This will keep me in good supply of farm fresh eggs even if my hens stop laying for a time. Just eggcellent!

Gustav Update Day 4

Posted on September 4, 2008 at 03:09 by Karen - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The sun has come out today and it's pretty hot. We're still without electricity. I hear there are places here and there getting power back on. Walmart had power yesterday but someone told me there was no fresh produce or frozen or refrigerated food or bread, etc. I got out and picked up a few limbs in the front and some around the chicken coops today. It will take a lot more work plus a power saw to get all that mess cleaned up. This sunshine will dry things up I hope. Thank you for your prayers and kind words and thoughts everyone. It does cheer me up. And it was great hearing Kitty was alive and well and she asked that I let everyone know here at HSB and asked for continued prayers during her very trying circumstances. My daughter was able to be admitted into a hospital ast night thankfully and her doctor has started another IVP and has called in a Urologist. Please keep her in your prayers.

Update from Kitty

Posted on September 4, 2008 at 02:55 by Karen - 3 Comments - Post Comment - Link

I was able to talk to Kitty today. She and her family are doing okay. Her house withstood the storm and I think they lost a shed and maybe some things outside. She is fortunate to have a generator but they are only running it a little while at night. As we are finding out too, the gas to keep one of these things running is very expensive. She said where she lives took a direct hit from the hurricane and they are without power and may be without for 6 weeks. I sure hope that's not the case!!

Her mother is in need of prayer. She is not doing well at all. She is considering calling an ambulance today. It's very hot in her house, yet she's cooking a lot of food, rather than it going to waste. I think others in the area are coming over and eating at their house.

Let's all continue to keep Kitty and her family, her mother especially, in our prayers. They are going through such a terrible time.

Checking in today......

Posted on 2008-Sep-4 at 02:06 by In His Hands - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

I love this picture !! If I could, my kitchen would look like this..........Maybe one day....

Things have been different around here. Some days we are so busy and some days we do nothing at all. We have not yet got our school year going completely on track as it should be but that will soon be taken care of.

Our weather has been very different this summer and I am looking forward to seeing what type of fall weather we will be having. It would be fine by me if we have a cold Fall and a colder Winter !!

I need to get back into the kitchen like I am use to, baking and making things during the day. Cooler weather will bring that on soon I know. I am ready for soups and stews for supper again. I am tried of what I call my "Summer Menu". I am needing a change here soon.

I see that some are looking toward the holidays already and I must admit, I have given it some thought already also. I read somewhere this week, where someone said to just start the "Christmas" thing on Nov 1st and that way you will always have the same amount of time till Christmas then waiting till Thanksgiving. See, some years Thanksgiving comes 4 weeks before Christmas and some years it comes only 3 weeks before. But what I have been doing for the past several years, is just call it "The Hollidays" and enjoy them both together, getting things ready no matter what the date is. I do not forget the meaning of Christmas and why we have it, I just celebrate the holidays all during Nov. and Dec. If is fun that way.

Okay, I need to get back to work and I hope to start posting some recipes that I have ready for the Fall. So look back here soon for something new to try for your family.

Musings...of Autumn?

Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 10:36 by HandsNHearts - 3 Comments - Post Comment - Link

You know, in just a matter of a handful of weeks now, Autumn will officially start.

Yes, I know I do this every year.

I get rather melancholy this time of year. Every year it's the same thing. September begins and I start thinking with excitement about things like

combines harvesting the fields,
fertilizers being spread on those large farmsteads,
cooler evenings,
the surprise of a cool breeze during the day,
air conditioners being used less and less and windows opened with softly blowing curtains around them,
apples ready to harvest,
pumpkins starting to perk p for picking,
leaves slowly beginning to turn all those magnificent colors of deep rust, brighter red, rich orange and brilliant yellow,
the gathering of firewood for that first lighting of the woodstove,
those wonderful autumn smells...ever notice how pies and breads just smell so much better, so much more homey during the autumn than they do in the summer?
the starting of school and those big yellow buses rolling along the lanes early morning. No, my children aren't riding a bus, but there is just something that touches my heart and says autumn, in a nostalgic sort of way, about those yellow buses on the road after a summers' absence.

There are preps being made everywhere it seems...
folks are finishing off larger portions of their gardens and clearing them for a winter rest,
chickens are growing and seem to know time is limited for gathering those bugs and greens before the snow flies,
barnyards are freshened and hay mows filled with the last of the hay harvest before winter.

There are just smells and actions that speak autumn all over.

But, it's a bittersweet time for me. I miss all those things I've just mentioned. I know it's all a state of mind, really, but I have not been able to wrap my mind around a changing of seasons since moving here. Everything stays so green...and so wet...this time of year around us. I can pull out the autumn colors in flowers and garlands to decorate the house and give an illusion of autumn, but it's just not in my heart. I am just too wrapped up with seasonal changes.

Yes, I have so many friends here in the South who would argue vehemently that there are changing seasons here, and there is a definite autumn. I guess my trouble is, I only know one kind of autumn in my mind. It's the only one I've ever known. It's hard to change a vision that is ingrained in a nearly-40 year old mind.

So, this weekend, we are going to try to bring autumn to the homestead. I am gathering the fall fabrics to tuck here and there on a table, along a bookcase and near an oil lamp. I'm putting up a simple garland of flowers...all those beautiful rich tones I so love this time of year. We will be doing our evening devotions with the lanterns lit instead of the regular lighting...sort of creating that cozy feeling that autumn brings with it.

My eldest daughter says that's fine...as long as I don't crank up the a/c so we all have to don sweaters and thick socks to really bring that feeling of autumn to real life!

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About Me

I'm here to learn more about gardening, preserving, and general homemaking. I have 5 wonderful children, we homeschool and live in New England.