| Country Living in the City |
 glitter-graphics.com Typical Saturday Around The Homestead.This Saturday as I was doing chores - I realized how much organization it takes to keep a homestead going, even in the city.I woke up at 6:30am and put a load of towels in the washer. I then laid back down for about 30-45 minutes while they washed. Then I was up, turned on the coffee, hung out the towels, put another load (jeans) in, and sat down to read my Bible. I like to wash my towels and jeans first because they take the longest to dry. By the time I was done reading, the second load was done and I hung those out. I then started the third load and breakfast. By then DH was up and starting his day (I like to let him sleep in on Saturday, because Friday is usually a busy and I know he works hard). For breakfast we had re-fried beans (from leftover beans I had cooked) and scrambled eggs w/ tomatoes. After breakfast, I hung the third load out and started a fourth. Then, after straightening up the bedroom and bathroom a little, I started out in the garden. DH had an errand to run, and my mother was busy with the paper. So it was just me in the garden, I really find that a peaceful time with God. I checked on what is coming up in the fall/winter garden and planted some more seeds (I'll post that in another post). I did have to stop once to start the last load of clothes. By the time I finished in the garden, DH was home. He decided to cut the grass (right now he is down to cutting every other weekend). While DH cut the front grass, my mother and I went through the pantry. We took inventory of all our canned items and actually had to figure out what a few things were. (Note to self - remember to label jars). I also made up a batch of salsa, to use up some tomatoes and onions that were getting a little old. Then my s-i-l paid an unexpected visit. She was on her way to Costco (we live 2 blocks away). We had a nice visit, she stayed for lunch and we made chicken quesadillas and some chicken soup out from home made chicken stock - all from a chicken my mom had cooked during the week. After lunch, my s-i-l left my nephew with us while she and my niece went to Costco, and a few other errands. He loves spending time at our house, especially with DH. He loves to help him in manly projects. He won't help me because that's girl's work (his words, not mine). LOL. I thought it would be a good time to bake some cookies. I wanted to make some, and now with my nephew here, I decided to whip up a batch of chocolate chip w/ cranberries. My nephew doesn't like fruit, so my s-i-l and I try to stick dried fruit in where we can and cookies is one way to do that. Cookies are a great thing for us - I can take some to work with my lunch, DH likes them with his morning coffee, and my mom likes them with an afternoon cup of tea. After s-i-l picked up my nephew, I finished taking down the clothes and that opened the back yard for DH to cut the grass. Its was like a ballet - he cut the front while the clothes were drying and then by the time they're done, he can cut the back. Usually he has to wait, but since he had errands Saturday it worked out great. This is really where I realized how it helps to be organized -- and I don't think we're always organized, we have to work a lot on this. In fact, this day seemed to go better than most Saturdays. Once he was done with the grass, I helped him take down two hanks of bananas. They aren't ripe yet, but they were going to fall over any day - the winds we had last week, really bent the plants they were on. Then we finally had a chance to relax. The two of us, sat with our feet up on the chase lounges and drank some ice tea and chatted. It was nice, we discussed some plans for the garden and our upcoming trip in two weeks. We really accomplished a lot on Saturday -- I guess it is more scheduling or having a plan than organization - or maybe that is part of organization. Either way, I know we need to have a plan more often - Saturday is our main day to do everything around the homestead, because we both work during the week and Sunday is our day of rest. 08:59 - Monday, October 20, 2008 - comments {2} - post commentPrayer Request for Mother-in-lawGood morning everyone! I wanted to ask all of you to pray for my mother-in-law. She's been complaining of headaches for a while and they did a brain wave test on her last week. The results were abnormal. So now they are going to do a MRI either tomorrow or Wednesday.The doctor says there are several possibilities as to why it came back abnormal, but they want to rule out a tumor. So, I ask that you all pray that her tests will turn out okay. Thank You and May God Bless Your Family as well. Sandra 08:55 - Monday, October 20, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentFinding Quiet TimeFor the longest time, I found it hard to have quiet time with the Lord at my house. I only live with my husband and mother, but it always seemed that someone would interrupt me. Or the phone would ring, I guess I just needed to be firmer and demand the time, but oh well.So I finally figured out that when I arrive at work in the morning is the best time. When I arrive at work at 8am, I am the only one around till about 9am. So I check voicemail /email, make myself a cup of tea, turn on my internet radio, and then I take at least 30 minutes to read my Bible and pray. Here is a picture of my desk from the this morning.  I find that in doing so, I am centered for the rest of my day. Our church puts the weekly readings in the bulletin on Sunday, so I read each days reading, and then I have a Catholic Woman's Devotional Bible so I read the daily devotional reading, and I also usually have some other devotional or study book that I use as well. Oh, I also wanted to share my web radio that I use - Pandora - it is located at http://www.pandora.com/ It's an awesome radio - you just put in the name of an artist and it creates a radio station based on the type of music that person sings. For my devotional time, I used Sandi Patti to start the radio station and it gives me beautiful uplifting music to read by. It will do any kind of music you want, and then you can also tell it when you don't like a song and it will stop playing it and not play others like it. God Bless, Sandra 03:21 - Friday, October 17, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentFire Update and Continued Prayers.The fires continue to rage on here in Southern California. Last I heard I think we have 5 separate fires. This actually became some what personal for me last night, as I discovered I know one of the victims.My sister-in-law's former neighbors lost everything. I heard their story last night when I stopped by to pick up my niece for youth group. About a year ago, their daughter moved into their home and they downsized to a trailer up near the mountains. Well yesterday morning at 4:30am they got woken up by a police officer on a bull horn telling them to evacuate immediately, I think they were given something like 20 mins. to get out. They did and drove down to their daughters and watched their lives go up in flames on TV. Their home was one of 37 mobile homes that burned up in the Little Tujunga fire. Its so heart wrenching to hear the story from a personal perspective. So I ask that you pray for this family and the others that have lost their homes. I can't imagine having to get out in 20 mins. I know they're just things but still to have to get yourself together and just go is mind boggling to me. Thanks for the prayers. Sandra 03:45 - Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentDo Not Worry - Matthew 6: 19-21 & 25-34Recently, I've become very moved by Matthew 6:19-21 and 25-34 and wanted to share it with everyone.First of all Matthew 6:19-21 says.. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NIV). Secondly, Matthew 6: 25-34 says.. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life." "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV). Aren't these Words beautiful. It fully shows us that we should not worry about worldly treasure or about how God will provide for us. I must admit, I don't always practice what I know I should do. Sometimes it is hard to do this - I for one sometimes get caught up in the moment of what is going on - the stress takes over, the worry creeps in - and off I go into full panic mode. I'm planning on printing these verses out and framing them to remind me to not worry and focus on God. God Bless Sandra 01:22 - Monday, October 13, 2008 - comments {1} - post commentPlease Pray for Fire Victims/Fire FightersWould everyone please pray for the people involved in the fires we have going on here right now.There is a huge forest fire and we need to ask for God's protection on the firefighters fighting this blaze. We've had high winds during the night and it makes it hard to fight a fire like that. Right now the winds have died down some (not completely), but they will be back strong tonight. It has already been two days they've fought the fire. They had it 20% contained late yesterday, but because of the winds they are back to 5% contained. Secondly, I ask that we pray for the individuals who live in the area. As of now 450 homes have been evacuated and 30 some mobile homes have burned already. Also, there have been several businesses that have burned and no doubt that will mean loss of jobs for some. Let's pray for those who are in danger of losing their jobs as well. In addition, this is an area where there are a lot of livestock. My understanding is that most people were able to move their animals to safety before the fire started, but still some may not have. Lastly, I just heard we have another fire in neighboring Ventura County and while no homes are in danger, there is an oil facility near by. I'm thinking that can't be good. It seems they have it 50% contained, but I'm sure the resources needed for that fire are also needed on the bigger fire I mentioned above. Here is a link to one of our local news stations if you want to get a better idea of what they're looking at. http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index Thanks for your prayers. Sandra 09:52 - Monday, October 13, 2008 - comments {1} - post commentSimple Woman's Daybook Now that I'm back on track here is my Simple Woman's Daybook for Today. Outside My Window -- Smoke, Smoke, and more Smoke. There is a raging forest fire about 10 miles from our home. I am thinking -- a lot about Matthew 6: 19-21 and 25-34. What great words to live by. I try to live by them but I have a renewed desire to follow them more so. I am thankful for -- the fact that my husband and I still have jobs to go to in this economy. From the kitchen -- last night I made a pot roast, hadn't made one in a while. So today I have left overs for lunch. I am wearing -- jeans and crazy color blouse. I am creating -- more memories with my family. This is has become really important to me. I think those memories are much better than anything material we can give each other. I am going -- to teach my Youth Group tonight. Also, my niece has confirmation class tonight, so we will have our every other week dinner out. Nothing fancy, probably In n Out, but its time for us to spend together. I am reading -- The Memory Keepers Daughter and Everyday Simplicity: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth. I am hoping -- the cat leaves my fall vegetable garden alone. By the way its not my cat. I am hearing -- silence. I'm in the office and no one is here yet. What a beautiful sound - being alone with your thoughts. Around the house -- this week we'll probably pick the last of the watermelon and then we can finish putting in the fall garden. Also, I want to pickle some of the watermelon rind from the melons we pick. One of my favorite things -- the book Everyday Simplicity. It has really helped me refocus my mind. A Few Plans For This Week -- This weekend we're hoping to go apple picking. Here is my picture thought. Just to give you an idea about the smoke. We're about 10 miles from here but we have a layer of brown like smoke over head.  Also, we should all say prayers for the firefighters and the people who live in the area. Last I heard 450 homes had been evacuated and about 30 mobile homes had burned. Also, several businesses which will no doubt mean loss of jobs for some. Don't forget to visit Simple woman at www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com God Bless Sandra 09:28 - Monday, October 13, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentEveryday SimplicityI wanted to share with everyone something out of a book I've been reading called Everyday Simplicity by Robert J. Wicks.First, I must say that I have a slightly bad habit (with good intentions). Every March I attend a religious education conference given by our local churches. We have speakers from all over and many different walks of life and who specialize in different subject. Well, I usually attend two of the four days and I always come home with a load of new books. The bad habit is that I never really read them. I start and I don't finish. So, I've made a commitment starting in October I will read at least two of these books a month until March, or I can't buy any new books. Right now I'm reading Everyday Simplicity, A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth. There was one thing I was reading that I wanted to share with everyone today. "What is the first step toward simplicity? It is the honesty to see our idols clearly. And what is an idol? An idol is something we make to take the place of God. We know we have made an idol when the possible loss of something or someone creates an inappropriately dramatic reaction in us." "The easiest route to finding out the truth about what our idols are is to look at the feelings we have. What gets us upset? What cheers us? What causes great anger or disappointment? What stresses us out? What drives us or makes us anxious? In other words, what is blackmailing us into believing something must result or someone must respond in a certain way before we can be at peace, joyful?" This really got me to thinking. I've always been aware that some things such as money, fame, etc. can become an idol and that we need to avoid that. But reading it put this way, it made me wonder how many other things do I treat like idols. Like example, I tend to get upset sometimes if I have to wait to long, or in many other situations. I also have a great fear of heights. I makes me wonder if those things aren't idols in some way. He also talks about a sense of entitlement becoming an idol. That we believe things should happen a certain way, etc. That we are entitled to have things go our way. Instead of feeling this we need to just let it go. I have to agree, I probably feel that way sometimes, like when I'm standing in line somewhere, I have a sense of entitlement for that wait to go the way I want it to. So I'm wondering what everyone else things about this idea. 02:34 - Friday, October 10, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentI'm Back....Not sure if anyone missed me, but I've been gone about a month now. Don't want to bore you with the details but it got really hectic and I just didn't feel like blogging. I also didn't feel like I had anything to say. Has anyone else ever been there?We had a lot of chaos around us on both sides of the family. Also, we were trying to get our finances in shape so we can possibly pay off our debt sooner. So now things have calmed down and I can get back to blogging. Garden Update: We already planted much of the fall garden, although we have a stray cat that likes to dig things up. In the month of September we mainly picked watermelons and guavas. Made some guava jelly and bread for the freezer. And we have one more bunch of bananas that looks like it will ripen. Also, we are anticipating the ripening of our persimmons any day. They're usually ready about the end of October. Oh, and my sister-in-law gave me a arbol chili plant that is doing well. She had several and picks so many chili peppers. She also gave me her recipe for homemade hot sauce, green or red - I'll try and post it in the next few days. Homestead Update: The one thing that strikes me and makes me really know we are homesteading is when I look into our pantry. While we use to have mainly canned food from the grocery store, now we have canning jars with all kinds of pickled and preserved items in them. Its a pretty satisfying visual. Crafting: I had to take a break from crocheting in September but I'm now planning a few projects that I want to finish before Christmas. Well, I guess thats about all for now. To be honest, we didn't really focus on our homestead plan in September, as I mentioned we had some family issues to deal with - not directly us, but some close family were going through some rough times. So we just kept up on the daily chores. Hopefully now we can focus some more. God Bless Sandra 02:09 - Friday, October 10, 2008 - comments {1} - post commentOur PrincessesThis past weekend we had our 2nd big family event this month. Our nieces who's birthdays are w weeks apart turned 15 this year and in the Spanish tradition the family pitched together to celebrate their quinceneras. We are so proud of them I wanted to share some pictures.First let me explain what a quincenera is - simply put a coming of age ritual. We had a church services where the pastors spoke beautifully about how important it is for them to dedicate their lives to God and to follow in Jesus foot steps. And how important their faith would be in the coming years. Followed by a family party - nothing to fancy but they were lovely. Some of the traditions that happen during the reception are so beautiful. First the mother presents her daughter with a doll (supposedly her last) and then her father changes her shoes into high heels. Then she dances with her father and God father. The other week I was watching the Walton's episode about the quilting and was thinking how there must have been such traditions that have been lost. Wishing I had something like that. Any way, here are some pictures from the special days - held 3 weeks apart.  This is "W". She is such an awesome girl, born 2 months premature and weighed 3 1/2 lbs. We're very close - she tells people I am her 2nd mother.  She is a sophomore in high school, honors student, and is following in my footsteps teaching catechism. She started last year to fulfill her community service hours for confirmation class and fell in love with it. She is still figuring out what she wants to do in life but is leading towards something with children. This is "V2", here older sister is "V1". She is also our God daughter. I tease her that she is my favorite God daughter (she is my only God daughter  ). She attends a honors magnet school and is one smart cookie. Speaking of cookies she loves to cook and especially bake. She is thinking of becoming a chef, but I have a feeling she may be the one in the family to become a SAHM. She loves to cook, sew, and take care of her little sister and cousins.  Can't leave out the rest . On the right is "V1". She is a Junior in college, studying liberal arts - most likely will go into teaching. Perfect because when she was little she loved to round up her cousins and play school with them. Right now she works as a bank teller. In the front is "M" ("W"'s little brother) - a complete opposite of her from the start. She was born early -- he was almost two weeks late. She weighed 3 1/2 lbs -- he weighed 9 lbs 3 oz. He is all boy. Not sure what he'll be when he grows up (he is 7 now), but I do know he loves to help DH work around the house whenever possible.  Then of course there is Miss "N". She is "V1" & "V2" 's little sister. She was the surprise in our family. 18 years younger than "V1" & 12 years younger than "V2". What can I say about Miss N - she is fiesty, likes things her way, and knows how to wrap her dad and uncle (DH) around her little fingers. She will be 3 on Christmas day. In all honesty she was very hot and miserable in that dress - that's why the face. But it was the only picture I got of her - she didn't want her picture taken.  I'm also including a picture of 3 of our 4 God children (missing is my brother's son "A" who lives in PA). You've already met "V2" and "M". The other is "S". He is a senior in high school and we share a favorite subject - environmental stewardship. He is very much into the environment and working on environmental issues at his school. It is a subject that we both love to discuss. Well there you have our kids. Since we don't have any of our own, we are very involved in their lives. We are especially involved with W & M - but we are proud of all our kids. Thanks for stopping by Sandra 03:49 - Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - comments {5} - post commentJoy of Homemade GiftsDuring these last two weeks I've been the giver and receiver of several homemade gifts. It has got me to thinking that there just might be more joy in a homemade gift then in a store bought one. And I for one think we need more joy in this world.Last week I gave a friend of mine some jars of homemade jam and pickles for her birthday. She loved it and was so excited to receive them. I think her reaction was much better than if I would have given her something else. Then a couple days later a friend of mine brought me a mini bundt cake just because. Her husband owns a company that bakes up lots of goodies for catering companies in the area. I was so touched that she thought of me and I must say it was delish. Then this past weekend was my mother and sister's birthdays and I decided this year I'd make them something special. I made my mom some slippers and my sister a scarf. Both of them were so thrilled and my mom was proud that I did something like that. It made me feel good to know that I had made it with my own hands. I'm telling you this has gotten me to thinking that I want to make more gifts for Christmas. I'm going to try and get away from buying as many gifts as I can. My niece already spotted a few things she'd like in a crocheting book I had laying on the coffee table. To think, how many 15 year old girls ask for home made gifts. I think that's wonderful, and if we expose more of them to the joy of homemade items maybe even more will go away from materialism that plagues the world today. I know many of you already make homemade gifts, and it is a big part of your lifestyle. But I'd like to encourage any of you that don't to try it out - find what it is you do well - bake, canning, crafts, sew, whatever and make a few home made gifts. On a similar subject, my boss has always contended that hand written notes are a lost art. Today I was reading Debbie's blog http://www.homesteadblogger.com/gardenofyourheart/108950. She mentioned that one special touch she received today was a card from a woman she knows and how it was a card of encouragement. I think that is another sort of homemade thing that we can do - I'm not talking about making cards but sending little hand written notes to friends and family members to let them know we are thinking of them. The internet is great, but that little note in our own hand writing sometimes is even better. Well I'll get off my soap box now, but I really feel compelled to share how awesome homemade gifts are. Sandra 03:28 - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - comments {3} - post commentI must be doing something rightThe last few days I've been having doubts about where I'm headed in my life choices. Some of the thoughts that have entered my head have been:
But the doubt still persisted. I've even posted about it a few times over the last few weeks. Then yesterday, I got a phone call from a friend asking me to have lunch. This was a friend I hadn't spoken to in over a year and a friend that is a complete opposite place where I am now. Really, they're not my friend anymore. I thought about having lunch, but the more I thought about it the more I realized I didn't want to. Why? Because frankly this person lives a life that I don't - a life filled with materialism, and a hunger for money and fancy things. That is not my life any more and I don't want it. Then later I started thinking about my doubt and that friend. I've come to the conclusion that I must be doing something right. Why do I say that? Because I think this doubt and the phone call are ways to tempt or test me. See if I will go back to my old ways, or convince me that my new ways are not worth it. Maybe you don't agree with me, but I do believe the closer we get to walking with the Lord and listening to where he is sending us the more tests and temptations come around. I passed this test/temptation with a renewed energy to proceed into our new life. I'm putting the doubt in its place, and I know more doubt will probably raise its head - but I'll deal with that then. God Bless All of You and don't let doubt get in your way. Sandra 04:02 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - comments {2} - post commentMy Mom's Birthday.Sunday was my Mom's 78th birthday. We had such a good time. I decided that I would make a sort of Pennsylvania Dutch meal for my mom. She is originally from a small coal mining town in central Pennsylvania and of Pennsylvania Dutch decent, except for a little Irish.My menu was fried chicken (my grandmother's recipe), pepper cabbage, Pennsylvania Dutch potato salad, fried apples (okay that's really from my dad's Virginia side of the family), corn on the cob, pickles that we canned, and Shoo Fly Cake. Oh and I found a store here in town that sells birch beer soda directly from Pennsylvania (for those of you who aren't familiar it is similar to root beer - made from birch trees). What is it they say about best laid plans. The one thing I really wanted to make was the Shoo Fly Cake, we hadn't had it in a really long time. However, I didn't realize it takes 1lb. of brown sugar to make and we didn't have a whole bag. So no Shoo Fly Cake - but luckily I had one box of cake mix left so I made a chocolate bundt cake and my mom gave me a recipe for icing that she use to make when I was a child. Turned out nice, because I got to learn this recipe with my mother - had never seen it before. The rest of the meal turned out nice and here are some pictures from the special day.  This is everyone around the table - that's my hubby on the right and my b-i-l on the left, next to my s-i-l (hubby's sister), and my niece and nephew and my mom.  Here is my mom with her cake.  And here's me cutting the cake. Not really liking the picture but oh well. Sandra 04:43 - Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - comments {1} - post commentSimple Woman's Day BookHere is my second Simple Woman's Daybook - I hope to do it each Monday, but last couple of weeks wasn't possible. Outside My Window -- Way too hot - it was going to up to 102 today. I am thinking -- that my day is almost over, and I have a lot I want to accomplish at home tonight. I am thankful for -- all the blessings God has provided us this past week. Especially a lovely day yesterday for my mom's birthday. From the kitchen -- my mother is making dinner tonight, but I need to make up some of the items that we don't purchase from the store anymore. Mainly tortillas and mayo. I am wearing -- jeans and a floral print top in aqua and blue. I really am trying to wear more skirts as I want to be more feminine, but today was just easier to through on a pair of jeans. Not sure how that is, except to say I don't have to coordinate. I think I need to buy a few solid color skirts. I am creating -- I just finished some crocheted gifts this week - but I think I want to start this granny stitch bag I saw for myself. I figure it will be nice for carrying books and stuff back and forth to work. I am going -- home and have dinner with my family. Then find some activities in the house - it will be way to hot to work in the garden tonight. I am reading -- still nothing - although I have been reading a lot of cookbooks and crochet patterns lately does that count.I am hoping -- to not be overwhelmed at work this week so I can concentrate on my home duties. I am hearing -- an old tape of Sandy Patti that I found while cleaning out the den. Yes a tape - thankfully my car radio still has one - I've been enjoying it. I guess I should download some of the songs for my Ipod but another time. Around the house -- this week is going to be clean up and beautify week - my niece is having her 15 birthday celebration this weekend (a big thing in Spanish culture) and they are getting ready at our house, so I want everything to look good as the photographer will be there as well. One of my favorite things -- my new tea/herb ball. It works wonders - I'll have to post a picture but it is a little dome thing with a silicone bottom that comes off. It sits really nice in pots and has a handle for pulling it out. A Few Plans For This Week -- Need to work up the calendar art work for our youth group and a flier we are sending out. Here is my picture thought. Isn't this what we all want. I know I do.  Don't forget to visit Simple woman at www.thesimpleowman.blogspot.com God Bless Sandra 04:06 - Monday, August 25, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentAdoption Thoughts and Some Interesting FactsToday on the way to work I was listening to Focus on the Family. They were replaying an old interview with Steven Curtis Chapman. But I was really struck by some of the statistics they gave at the beginning of the program.- There are nearly 150 million orphans around the world. - 16 million children became orphans in 2003 alone. (That is twice the population of NYC). - There are 500,000 children in foster care system in the US and 120,000 of them are available for adoption. - 1/3 of Americans have considered adoption but only less than 2% have actually adopted. I was shocked by these numbers. According to the 2000 census the U.S. population was 281.4 million so compare that to that 150 million number and that is like if more than 1/2 of the U.S. population were orphans. That is just so sad to me. As I've mentioned before, my husband and I are in the process of beginning the adoption process. To be honest we haven't started it. We have been in an informational period only, we've been looking for the right adoption agency and finding out what we have to do. And deciding between domestic and international adoption, etc. We have plans to start the application process in January. However, after listening to this today I was talking to my husband when I came home that we need to step up this process. I don't want to fall into that 31% of American who consider it and don't take the plunge. I think we should all say an extra prayer for all those orphans in the world and for anyone who is considering it to come to a right decision. Also, can I say to anyone else who is considering adoption you should listen to the interview. Here is a link to it. www.focusonthefamily.com/about_us/dr_james_dobson.aspx Just click the play daily broadcast link. God Bless You All. Sandra 09:44 - Friday, August 22, 2008 - comments {2} - post commentGarden UpdateUnfortunately, many things are coming to an end in our garden, but we will plant some more tomatoes and peppers for a fall/winter harvest. The transplants are almost big enough to go in. I pulled the green beans out last weekend and will probably pull the cucumbers and lima's this weekend.We did however harvest our nectarine crop this week. See the picture below - yes that was the whole harvest. We only got three nectarines (we joked that it was one for each of use). It is the first year it gave fruit and we are hopeful for next years crop. I must say they are some of the best nectarines I've ever eaten. And the neat thing is that my s-i-l started it from a seed. We thought at first it was peach but they are nectarines.  We are also going bananas. Can you spot the three bunches of bananas hanging from our back pergola? This was taken on Sunday. The one closest to the house is now almost completely ripe, the one in the middle is half ripe and the one closest is just starting to ripen. Actually we have given many of them away already. We have enough to make some banana bread and other bake goods, and we'll freeze some whole for use in future baking. We need to learn to dry some, but haven't done that yet. Maybe with the next batch.  We are also starting to pick watermelons. Here is the first one we picked last Sunday and we have about 3 or 4 more to come.  Well this is where we are in the garden. Mid to Late September we will be starting to put in the winter garden - I'll update on that later. Thanks for stopping by and God Bless. Sandra 03:33 - Friday, August 22, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentSometimes its so difficultAs a new urban homesteader I sometimes find it hard to keep up. I've been having an especially hard time this week. Yes, I know it's only Tuesday :)The problem is that my heart is in homesteading, and not in my job any more. I work in marketing, and I'm so tired of dealing with the petty little things we worry about in business. Things that in the grand scheme of things don't matter. Things that are not life or death, but that the business world thinks is. It is also hard for me when I go home to transition into my homesteading self. I have ambitions but they don't always get done because after being at work all day, I'm not in the right mindset. I feel like I'm in limbo. I also have to admit that I am somewhat jealous of those of you who are full time homesteaders. I log on here and read the blogs and I think oh how I'd like to be doing that instead of sitting here at my desk. I know my day will come. Hopefully, by next September I can quit and take that job teaching at our church school. We have a plan and that is it. However, there is part of me that can't help but wonder if that is God's plan. We've prayed on it and it seems to be what is meant to be for now. But then why do I have this nagging feeling telling me to quit now and He'll take care of everything later. I just don't know. I'm wondering if there is anyone else out there who is in some sort of transition as well and how you are coping. Well, Thanks for listening to me vent. God Bless Sandra 03:15 - Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - comments {3} - post commentMy hubby bought me a cow for our anniversary.Okay, well he didn't really buy it - he won it. And well it's not a real cow. But, it is sort of a place holder until the day we buy that house in the country and he can buy me a real cow. Today was our 17th Anniversary and we had a lovely day. Originally we were going to go to Sustainable LA but at the last minute we decided to go to the Pier. In some ways it is hard to believe that we have been married 17 years. In other ways we it seems we have been together for most of our lives. We are completely blessed to have each other. To Gil - you are the love of my live, my best friend, and my everything. Happy Anniversary 08:39 - Sunday, August 17, 2008 - comments {3} - post commentKetchup RecipeSeveral people have asked me about the ketchup recipe I used, so here it is. It's actually from the ball blue book. Here I've included the recipe from the site www.freshpreserving.com/pages/new_recipe_pages/215.phpHowever, the recipe I made from the book was for 8 lbs of tomatoes not 24 lbs. Since the ingredients are the same I'm sure you can just reduce the recipe if you like by half or thirds. Enjoy and let me know how it turns out. Tomato KetchupMakes about 7 (16 oz) pintsYou will need: 3 Tbsp celery seeds 4 tsp whole cloves 2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces 1-1/2 tsp whole allspice 3 cups cider vinegar 24 lb tomatoes, cored and quartered (about 72 medium) 3 cups chopped onions (about 4 medium) 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1/4 cup Ball® Simple Creations® Preserving & Pickling Salt 7 (16 oz) pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands Directions: 1.) TIE celery seeds, cloves, cinnamon sticks and allspice in a square of cheesecloth, creating a spice bag. 2.) COMBINE vinegar and spice bag in a stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and let stand for 25 minutes. Discard spice bag. 3.) COMBINE tomatoes, onions and cayenne in a clean large stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and boil gently for 20 minutes. Add infused vinegar and boil gently until vegetables are soft and mixture begins to thicken, about 30 minutes. 4.) TRANSFER mixture, working in batches, to a sieve placed over a glass or stainless steel bowl and press with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. This can also be done using a food mill. Discard solids. 5.) RETURN liquid to saucepan. Add sugar and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring frequently, until volume is reduced by half and mixture is almost the consistency of commercial ketchup, about 45 minutes. 6.) PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside. 7.) LADLE hot ketchup into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight. 8.) PROCESS jars in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed. 09:59 - Friday, August 15, 2008 - comments {2} - post commentCrocheting ProjectsHi Everyone,Just wanted to post pictures of the projects I mentioned in yesterday's blog. There is just great satisfaction in making something yourself.  This is the scarf -- it looks a little short - but it is folded in half and then in half again.  This is one of the slippers - If you crochet and haven't tried a popcorn stitch you should try it. I was surprised how relatively easy it was. I used it along the top of the slipper.
02:34 - Thursday, August 14, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment
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About Me Description My name is Sandra and I live outside Los Angeles with my husband, my mother, and our dog Simba. We are Catholic Christians and learning how to Urban Homestead. Some day we may have a true homestead but for now this works. This blog will be an account of our journey. 
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