Hatfield House (in the city)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Oh my goodness. I woke this morning to find SNOW SNOW SNOW all over the place. I am just gathering the harvest for Thanksgiving and already we have snow. Geesh!

It is beautiful though, to look out at and see all the horse hoof prints and doggie prints all over. I bet if I looked close enough I would even find prints from lil mousies.  

I hated to have to go out in it but I did. I had groceries to get, things to take to the postoffice, and meds to pick up at the pharmacy. I am so proud of my grocery shopping today as I actually looked at the sales paper and with the help of coupons, a $25 gift certificate and a little planning, I was able to get $134.00 worth of groceries for $62.00. Now for some of you that may not be a big deal but for ME, the quick spender, it really is a mile stone. I am trying so hard to focus more and keep our grocery bill down to the minimun. Today, I DID GOOD!

I am home again and nice and warm, viewing the snow from my favorite place.... INSIDE!  I pray you are all warm too. Have a blessed day and drop a comment or two. heheee

CHRISTmas Memories

The holidays are near so I want to know...

1.
Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
 Hot chocolate!

2.
Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
 Nope, never did the Santa-thing.  Jesus supplies the gifts – that’s what we’ve always told them.

3.
Colored lights on tree/house or white? 
 White

4.
Do you hang mistletoe? 
 yes

5.
When do you put your decorations up? 
  always right after Thanksgiving :) 

6.
What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? 
My mom’s stuffing.               

 7.
Favorite holiday memory as a child: 
When I was about 11, I couldn’t sleep one Christmas Eve night and I had my radio on.  It was about 2a.m. and Nat King Cole’s “Chestnuts Roasting” came on while huge, fluffy snowflakes floated down outside my windows.  Ahhhh.

8.
When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 
 2^nd or 3^rd grade.
9.
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? 
Yes.  So that OUR family can make our own Christmas memories, we open our own presents on Christmas Eve morning so that it’s not interrupted by having to leave to go to someone’s house.

10.
How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? 
  We got a new Christmas tree last year that is very real-looking w/just a little ‘snow’ and pinecones on it.  We put away many of our more trendy ornaments for the girls to have one of these days and now only use the more vintage and backwoods-looking ornaments.  It’s very rustic and I LOVE IT!!
11.
Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I love snow...especially when I’m inside looking out!

12.
Can you ice skate? 
  That’s up for interpretation…I’ve roller skated all my life and only ice skated once.

13.
Do you remember your favorite gift? 

Christmas of 1998, Ty got me my hammered dulcimer!!

14.
What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? 
Remembering God's gift to us in His Son Jesus and having my family all together for Christmas. 

15.
What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
 Pumpkin pie and red velvet cake.

16.
What is your favorite holiday tradition? 
The big family meal – everyone together and happy.

17.
What tops your tree? 
 A rustic star

18.
Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Definitely giving 

19.
What is your favorite Christmas Song? 
  O Holy Night and I Wonder as I Wander

20.
Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? 
 Yum.

21.
What do you want for Christmas? 
A digital camera

22.
Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? 
 Ty’s work and – if can call it a party – our annual Christmas Eve service.

23.
Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? 

When I was little we dressed up for the meal.  Now we just wear ‘nice’ jeans and maybe a ‘dress’ blouse/shirt or sweater.

24. Do you own a Santa hat?
 nope – don’t do the Santa-thing here.

25.
Who do you normally spend Christmas with? 
Our family ~~ Christmas Eve day is for our own family; the weekend before Christmas day is w/Ty’s side of the family, Christmas Day is usually w/my side of the family.

Wishing I had more time to post here to ya'll

We are living here in Linden, or should I say south of Linden.  Its beautiful here in fall but boy it sure feels more like winter already. Tonights low is 15 and we have been 2 weeks with no furnace due to the electrical fire in it .  We have rented a 14x60 2 bedroom 2 bath.  Now imagine me trying to sort through all the stuff that we brought with us from our 2200 sq ft house, after getting rid of half of it.  We only brought our beds and  my sewing stuff and my soap stuff and my homeschool stuff, crib, changing table, porta crib, high chair, fold up tables and 2 folding chairs, 2 bins of toys that were left of the girls ( baby dolls and tea set, little people house and farm, noahs ark and play set.)  All the bathroom, kithen stuff and what food I could bring with us.  I am sorta set on baking supplies for a month maybe less and it seems that I only run low on milk and meat, potatoes and those things that come from a garden. Since we were moving we didnt really plant a huge garden as we wouldnt be there to can things.  We left for TN Aug. 2nd.  I did have meat in the freezer but it was not able to travel down with us , what I tried to bring spoiled on the way down though packed good.  Yes I brought my electric sewing machine and serger and vacume and our computers. ( 2 desktops and one laptop with wifi capabilities)

Well the point is we thought we were coming down with less and yet in the RV and in this smaller home it seems like alot of stuff.  So what is really needed anyways ?  Well as I sort through it all much is going in boxes to be sold.  To raise money for other needed things.  ie. land, cabin or small home, wood cookstove.  After all that was the idea, to move here and eventually get land and homestead more then we had been in NY. Somehow living the countrylife no longer seems like homesteading once you have visited many here that life off the grid and have built their own home, rustic as they are, they are home and boy they seem nice to me. What is life all about anyways ?  Was it about nice rooms with painted and papered walls ? Was it about having a nice bathroom with all the fixtures and such ?    No, it is nice to see an outhouse now with paper holder, a light in there and ya know what ? copies of countryside and a real toiet seat !!!! Fancy huh !!!!

Some here have solar, some are living no electric substitute at all and each encourages us to strive toward whatever the Lord tells us is for us to do and each gives "My use to be DH who said we will never go non-electric and we will never live like the Amish"  A new vision for our lives.   The first goal was to live on what money we do have or can make and live on less or with less.   Unless it can make you more money or serves a purpose that is useful, it has no real value here.  ( I will admit I have my country tins, crock, and rooster things with me, but they serve a purpose too. My rose bowl and pitcher and my tea set will be used not just sit on a shelf for looks anylonger.  Here DH has a shed to keep his tools in and we can keep our goats here.  All the new ways are blessings and those we meet are the best blessings in our new life here in Linden TN.  The likemindedness is in the fact that Jesus died for each of us and though we  are each different in our degree of living the life of plain and simple living, we are all sharing the fact that Jesus died for us to save our souls.

Wensday night we attended a local sing, the glorious sound of our blended voices while we blend our lives in friendship I am sure is the most wonderful thing to the Lord God.

Blessed to be in His Child

Love

Linda

Faithful Acres Homestead

Debt

    Debt. Such a ugly word. So many people are in debt. Our country is crazy for debt. More stuff. Didn't matter that people would lie on applications for credit. They wanted the house, car, electronics etc. When they got the latest toy that wasn't enough. Another toy was purchased on credit. Now all the bills are due. What to do? Not pay. I am not talking about the people who lost their jobs with no warning. I am not talking about the people who got sick with no medical insurance.

     I was 7 months pregnant with DS and very sick. Morning Sickness, Day, Night , all the time. Dh back was horrible. He was getting ready to have surgery. We went into a meeting at his job. To see about  benefits or maybe another position in the company. This meeting did not go well. They told him tuff stuff. No position for you.  No temporary disability and keep your job. If you used up all of your time you would be out of a job with the company. Dh had worked with the company 18 1/2 years. That meant no early retirement. Dh had enough time saved to get his surgery and heal. Ofcourse, after he went back to work the pain continued on...... In this time I tried to stay positive. The Lord was leading me in a direction to become debt-free. I felt my eyes open up. I prayed. It took longer for dh to get on board but his is there. What a blessing to work as a team. Our last debt is the house. Lord willing, our short goal is to be under 30,000 dollars by Jan 31.

     One thing I wanted to say is my dh works everyday in pain. He is providing for his family. Please keep him in your prayers. I think I have found a new procedure for his back (surgery). He doesn't want it right now because their is always the chance that he will have to retire. The other point is that it doesn't matter how much money you make, if you spend more than you make something has to give. Cutting back or making more. Those are the two things. (I am not talking to the people who are unable to work and such) People at dh's job spend money like crazy. In debt up to their eyeballs. Still buying. This is everywhere. I am off my soapbox. God Bless. I

Baby, it’s Cold Outside!

  I love this time of year. Its 25 degrees here in North Texas and it’s a time when lots of baking goes on around here and the oven is keeping the house nice and warm. My DH is not fond of the cold because he sometimes has to work and feeds the critters everyday even when the temperatures are nippy. So, in order to make his efforts worthwhile, I try to have the house clean and the aroma of his favorite foods after a long day of work. So, last night, I had DD bake homemade chocolate chip cookies and I made fajitas from the leftover steak we had the night before. The smell of onion, bell peppers, and sizzling steak along with fresh cookies seemed to make his day. DH also asked me if I would make a little bit of coffee after our meal. This always indicates to me when he is in total comfort and glad to be home for the evening. Needless to say, we had a lovely evening together talking at the dinner table and enjoying each other’s company.  

I have lots of things I need to accomplish today. DD is having a birthday party this weekend. It will be at the local Dairy Queen. We have a lovely DQ here. It is owned by some wonderful local people and it is the perfect and easiest place to have a party this time of year. In addition, I decided to have it at the DQ because it is convenient for the parents to drop off their child while they run a few errands. And, it also has a playground for the children to play if the weather is nice. The theme for the party is “High School Musical” and I am having a friend make a Gabriella doll cake. Needless to say, DD is excited and I know this will be a memorable party for her.

My college class is going well. I am taking a Biology class and I’m in the 5^th week of this 8 week course. My next class will be Introduction to the Gospels. After the BIOL class, I am finished with all core classes with the exception of the Bible classes. The university I am attending is wonderful. All my studies are online and I will finish my degree in Psychology soon. Since my grades are excellent, I will apply for graduate school. I’m not sure in what area of study I would like pursue, so I will continue to pray and ask God for guidance. My intentions were to teach public school. But, after looking at the other opportunities available in the teaching field, there are plenty of other options for me to consider. My dad works as a guard in a prison and he tells me that there is a need for good teachers there. My ultimate goal is to teach online courses. This way, I could homeschool our daughter and still work at the same time. But, whatever the Lord wants me to do is the desire of my heart.

Well, I could sit here all day and fill this page up with more but I think I will save the rest for another post. I wish everyone a safe and wonderful Friday!

 DD making cookies

The Finished Product

Delicious!

It's giveaway time again! A Christmas Package

 I posted once before about all the "free" stuff I receive in the mail from many organizations and charities that I sometimes donate to. Well once again I have an abundance of items that I will not be using. This times it's Christmas cards and gift labels. I am not the type of person that throws ANYTHING away. I always try to find another use for it or another home for things.

So I thought with times being the way they are and just yesterday on the blog someone mentioned that they can not afford to buy or mail cards this year, I thought I would offer a package that may be helpful to someone.

I have a package that I have put together that includes the following items.

• 72 gift tags
• 35 or so Christmas cards with envelopes from different organizations or groups, all too cute.
• a 2009 wall calendar
• a smaller one page 2009 calendar with a conversion chart on the reverse side, great for the kids.
• a Christmas CD with 29 great Christmas songs on it from the Disabled Vets
• I will also include a book of 20 Christmas theme, (if I can get Christmas ones) stamps to help with the mailing of the cards.
• And maybe an extra added surprise or two for good measure, lol. 

Sorry I don't have a picture, my camera is still not working, I'm so lost without it too. So if anyone is interested in these items just leave a comment here on my blog. If I should get more than one comment I will draw a winner from the bunch. I will let this ride over the weekend and pull on Monday morning. Hope this is helpful to someone.

To Fear or To Fear Not?

To Fear or To Fear Not?

 by Faith Noles

The week following this 2008 presidential election has left many feeling as if they have just walked through a cold mortuary filled with the post mortem remains of a once beautiful and blessed America. I’ve seen the solemn expressions of prophecy teachers and anointed preachers who have spoken since the election. I’ve seen the down cast faces of faithful believers who have passionately prayed for the healing and redemption of this nation. Many are disheartened and may even feel as if God has not heard their prayers.

David Wilkerson wrote in his book, God’s Plan To Protect His People In The Coming Depression that “Every serious follower of Christ has to realize America deserves the full fury of God’s wrath”. History is filled with examples of God’s judgment upon wicked nations. With the election of Obama, Christians in America see the ‘writing on the wall’ and know that God’s judgment on America is right at hand.

I do believe that America is about to be judged. However, God wants to remind His children that He is still on the throne. Billy Graham once made the statement “God is unchanging in His love. He loves you. He has a plan for your life. Don’t let the newspaper headlines frighten you. God is still sovereign; He’s still on the throne.” God has not changed. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not.” None of the events of this old sinful world has taken God by surprise.

Multitudes of people are making preparations because they expect hard times are on the way--storing food and water; buying guns and ammunitions, etc. What preparations, if any, should we as Christians be making? Christians should be preparing their hearts. In Luke 21:28, Jesus tells the disciples “...then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”. If you’re a backslidden Christian or if your love for Jesus has grown cold--then beloved, it is high time to get right with God. James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” My mother used to use the term ‘straddling the fence’ when she talked about lukewarm Christians. Brothers and sisters look around you and open your eyes. Romans 13:11 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed”. It’s time to get off the fence!  Stand up and be the man or woman of God that He would have you be.

TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE GO HERE

Simpler Times

We have a channel on our Satellite called RFD-TV--its rural televison and I have recently discovered it airs the show Hee Haw--anyone remember that? Maybe I am just giving away my age--LOL--Anyway we have been watching it as a family as it comes on--We watched it last night--an episode from 1969(yes I was alive back then)-- the humor was clean--the prop was simple--the singing meant something--and it was good clean fun--I long for that simpler time--back then no one had heard of a drive by except to say--"I drove by and saw ya on the porch'"-- Going out to eat was something that was a treat--women still for the most part stayed home to raise the youngun's they had--people still wrote letters back home--I remember every Saturday my mom sitting at the kitchen table writing a letter to her mom and letting her know we were all ok since we lived in Dodge City Kansas and my grandma lived back here in Arkansas--We lived on a farm and my dad was a farm hand and worked the farm for rent--People barely had phones and televisions--little lone gaming machines, computers and all the other gadgets we have today--and you know what--people worked harder--work meant something--very few back then got to sit on their bums all day and push a pencil--people worked hard--Technology has brought about changes since the 1960's--some good and some bad--some I enjoy--some we as a family choose to not allow into our lives--some have a purpose--some really don't--I would love just one week to step back into that time and bask in the simplicity of it all--yes it was harder in some ways--but it was also a time when families enjoyed being together--and Sundays were the Lords day--not just another day off work or school to sleep in--I know I cannot turn back the hands of time--but I can sit here and enjoy those old nostalgic shows like Hee Haw, I love Lucy--Brady Bunch--and take a trip down memory lane and if only  in my own mind --for a moment recapture a simpler time!

~Kris

Prize 3 in the giveaway

Desperately Seeking the Silver Lining