... Shaun Groves- Song Called "Kingdom Come" ...

Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 09:00 in Good Health and Spirit

 I thought I'd share with you a raw draft of Shaun Groves new song.  Enjoy!

... Beware of identity thief ...

Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 08:41

My best friend Janet sent me this e-mail, here is just some of it:

I just had to share a few of the really cute ones!  Where do I sign up??   Hope it made you smile. god Bless, mj

... To anonymous, my reply ...

Posted on 2009-Jan-7 at 07:26 in Home

I wrote a post on how we will not be able to buy used clothes or toys anymore.   I received a reply from "Anonymous"   Here is what "Anonymous has said:

I think its a great idea. I think buying used clothes and toys is nasty and cheap. Do you know everyone single person who get them from. You have no idea what kind people sell this stuff. Do they smoke live on a farm with dirt and animals? Why not just buy stuff at the store that is lead free and made in America? Look for sales and buy it then.  

My Reply:

1. is I am dirty and nasty!  I make my children dirty and nasty because we buy some used clothes! !   Are you dirty and nasty too? Ok , hello wake up anonymous!  Used close is NOT nasty and dirty.  Have you ever used or even heard of soap?  It is a neat thing you can CLEAN with it.

2. If the old owner smoked , um here we go again SOAP!

3. Is I am a dirty yup, I will admit it! !  I love to play in my garden, to feel the dirt , dig holes, put plants and seeds in!   I own a FARM I am getting dirtier!!!!!  I raise hogs, poultry, beef, goats,we have have horses and so many animals it will make your head spin!  We run bare foot most of the time on our farm, Even more dirt!!  We live in California and we just do not wear shoes unless we have too.  I know this is a bad habit . but we do it.

My daughter Kristi was verry sick on summer she had pneumonia and Shayna and I along with a hired man where building a barn.  So we set up a tent with a bed and a air cleaner for Kristi.  I went to go check on her and I found her in the pig pen curled up in the pigs bed of straw with her 500lb sow wrapped around her , she kept Kristi safe. So my family is odd.

But guess what all the dirt washes of in the shower/bath.  There is a wonderful new invention called a washing machine.  You add your clothes and SOAP and it washes them , Amazing I know.   Check them out!!

This FARMER is proud to be a FARMER.  I was not brought up that way.  I was brought up a rich *B*.  My dad is a famous singer, guitar player.  I was raised with singers, movie stars and more. 

But you know what makes me happy?? My life as a FARMER , growing thing , animals.  When I am done at the end of the day I take a shower and use SOAP to get clean.  When I am done I slip on my Guess jeans & shirt, la mystere bra.     ok some habits are hard to break !!  

 I do look for  jeans that someone bought and they did not fit , or wore a few times to buy.  why pay $79.00 for my jeans when I can get them for about $20.00 on ebay?!?!? 

Did you know you can find brand new clothes at thrift stores?  Yes, it is true.  We find them all the time.  We like some brands. I love Guess, the girls love Bongo and Candies, Roxy, but we buy them at a way lower prices than we could ever dream of getting at a regular store on sale.

Anonymous get real !  My friends keep looking and buying used.  The other people do not know what they are missing!!

God Bless, mj

... I did IT ...

Posted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 10:02

What I did may be no big deal to you but for me and hubby, it is great.  What is it??  My marketing cost.  I usually  spend about $1000 to $1500 a month of food for our family.

What I did is make a list of dinner from meat we have on hand. So them I made a list of what I need to complete each meal.  Guess what I spent a $118.00 to make 25 dinners!!   I am so happy!

The dinners are:

1. Corn beef cabbage  Tonight's dinner.

2. Taco's

3. Baked chicken , green beans, rice rolls.

4. Steak sauce over rice, corn , rolls.  Made

5. Beef stew, salad , corn bread.

6. Egg plant pasta, salad, rolls.

7. Steaks , bake potatoes, salad , veg.

8. Breakfast.

9. Mexican dish, rice , beans.

10. Meatballs, mashed potatoes, rolls.

11. Chicken bake dinner, salad, rolls.

12. Pork steaks , mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls.

13. Green bean casserole, salad, rolls.

14. Hamburger helper , mac~n~cheese

15. Pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls.  Made

16. A BBQ baked chicken, baked fires, beans.

17. Leek soup, corn bread.

18. homemade pizza's.

19. Chicken pot pies, salad, rolls.

20. Veggies beef soup, corn bread.

21. Beef pot pie, corn bread.

22. Chicken ~N~ dumplings, salad

23. Pasta dish,  salad ,  Garlic bread.

24.  Beef roast, salad, rolls.

25. A Mexican dish from left over roast, rice, beans.

This is the list of dinners I made.  What I do is ask hubby what he wants for dinner the night before.  Then we defrost it in the morning unless it is a roast then we start it the night before.

Please check out my other blog there is some info on how we are not going to be able to buy used clothes anymore, it is a new law.

God Bless, mj

... A MUST READ FOR ALL OF US ...

Posted on 2009-Jan-6 at 07:13 in Home

The law in a nutshell.

... A Winter Birthday ...

Posted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 10:15

It's early here on our farm and still quite dark and still. My feet were warm until they hit the cool wood floor, so instead of just staying under the covers (as I considered) I put on a thick pair of wool socks and loaded the stove with wood. The house will be toasty when the boys wake. I pulled back the curtains and peeked out the windows. We're expecting some very nasty weather today and from what I can see, it's already starting. Ice and snow are on the agenda. I'm not surprised; today is my middle son's birthday and he almost never has nice weather for it.

Bless his heart, he was born in a blizzard thirteen years ago! Getting to the hospital during a Level 3 Snow Emergency (and being pulled over  and quickly let go by a police officer) makes for a very interesting birth story, don't you think? That being said, he was my easiest delivery. I barely felt a pain or broke a sweat. In the words of my great-aunt, "It was so easy I wondered if I deserved him." :-)  That tiny baby with thick black hair and huge dark eyes now towers over me and is still growing!

Because of the weather, our celebration with family and friends will have to wait, but I'm still baking the cake he requested, a Raspberry Lemon Cake. (Yes, much more suited for an Easter dinner, but it's his favorite nonetheless.) Let's just pray that the power stays on so it can bake! Our newest teen wants/needs a new pair of  insulated Carhartt overalls for his birthday, so we'll go shopping later this week when the road clears. We'll just spend the day where it's warm and plan a BIG birthday celebration for him... in July!

... A Simple Woman's Daybook ...

Posted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 08:00

For Today

 Monday, January 5,2008

Please stop by to visit Peggy  to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!

... *** Baked Bean -n- Chicken Legs *** ...

Posted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 03:04 in Recipes From the Kitchen

The Ingrediants:   Chicken legs, Brown Sugar, Baked Beans, BBQ Sauce, and Chili Powder  In our case, we used LOCAL ingrediants.  Grandma Browns Baked Beans ((once you taste THESE baked beans, you'll NEVER want another brand again!!))and Dinosaur BBQ Sauce.

Add half the bbq sauce to the bottom of the crockpot.

Add the baked beans

add the chicken legs

Now add the brown sugar

Now add the chili powder and let it cook......MMMmmmmm, YUMMY!

Baked Bean Chicken Legs

1 cup bbq sauce divided in two (1/2 C.)
1 BIG can of baked beans (2lbs 5 oz)
6 chicken legs
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 Cup brown sugar (unpacked)

DIRECTIONS:

Spread 1/2 cup of bbq sauce in bottom of crock pot
Add one can of beans
Add chicken legs 
Spread remaining bbq sauce on each chicken leg
Sprinkle chili powder & brown sugar on top
Cover and cook all day on low
* 1/2 cup serving of beans & 1 chicken leg SERVES 6
** add more legs if you have room to serve a larger size family.

Number of Servings: 6

333.2 CALORIES, 6.2g of TOTAL FAT, 104mg CHOLESTEROL, 749.4 mg of Sodium, 35.5 g of Carbs, 7.5 g of DIETARY FIBER,  33.4g FIBER

NOTATE:  For added health benefits, cut out the skin on the chicken for less fat intake and add slightly less brown  sugar OR Splenda has a brown sugar blend.  

Happy Healthy Eats!

... Hope In The Midst Of Sorrow - A Warriors Battle With Cancer ...

Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 03:08 in Faithful Contemplations

Glorifying Him In The Midst Of Our Storm

 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ~Galatians 6:2

Most of us have been impacted by cancer in one way or another.  I'm sure many of us have known someone personally or maybe a unique friend we've met online who seeks prayer or a listening ear.

My own story is like many, my paternal grandfather, a great aunt and even my mom's half-sister who lost her battle at the age of 24.  Only one year older than I was and still leaves quite an impact on me today.

As I sit here writing, I contimplate on so many stories heard, that have been lost.  Yet many have won and fought hard the battle before them.  My inspiration in todays post is dedicated to those who've impacted my life,  some I've never met before,  and others whom I watched personally struggle through.

The battle these warriors face on a daily basis...the fight within, the illness, the chemo, other treatments, finding time with their families, friends, and other loved ones.  Being sure NOT to get sick and separating themselves from those who are.  For a time, limiting life as they once knew it and conforming to the new direction they somehow find themselves in.  Some, fighting  HARD for their lives and others who pray hard for those close to them as they battle this illness together.

I cannot even imagine I know what it's like to go through such a battle.  Yet, watching these warriors, I still see a sense of the joy found in the "little steps".  The trust they have in their Heavenly Father...and while maybe questioning "why" these situations happen, never once have they denied their Lord and Savior.  Rather, keep an even closer walk with Him in admirable admiration.  Seeking to find peace amidst the storm.

The Warriors I've been impacted by have  life still being written perfectly by God as they find the energy smile through each day, to find the Hope and Joy even through their fears, their sorrows and the unknown.

Their family and friends find shelter with their Heavenly Father as each warrior battles this disease before their eyes.  The battle is far from over, but there is still Victory in the midst. A newfound Hope is found and strength to push each other through is somehow driven out of Gods great promises who gives them strength even when they can't seem to find it within.

I am humbled by the great warriors all over the world who take on the challenge, find hope and joy where they are EVEN through the greatest challenges of their lives.  These children, these adults, who fight the good fight and their families who seek to find Victory and Peace and even a break from the days blood counts.  They are ALL warriors  and in the Midst of bad news, remember that as God is our Greatest Physician, we may find great peace in Him through the storm. Even through the scarriest of times, they STILL know the love that God has for them and STILL find the joy in each day as He picks them up and carries them safely to land.

I do not fear defeat for my dear friends.  For I KNOW our Lord and Savior is good.  I am humbled and take joy in their triumphs and continue to pray for those who still struggle each day. 

I urge each of you to grasp hold of life and take hold of your family members and take the time to appreciate each one of them in good times and in bad.  For they are gifts.  Gifts given by God to not only bless you, but to bless the world with Gods beautiful creation of man.

I found peace in this scripture today as I struggle with my own health and found it appropriate to post today.  I have much to be thankful for and yet, I will never cease to pray for my dear friends who struggle with far worse conditions than I have. 

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.  We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.  For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.  While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.  God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.  ~ 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Lord, I come to you today for my dearest friends and family members suffering with great battles in their lives.  I pray that you would take hold of them and that they would take shelter in your arms.  Lord, you know the plans you have for them. Each and EVERY DAY is special. You are OUR MAJESTY.  Lord we come to you with open hands just as we are with your grace and mercy as the song says.  Heal their hearts, their minds and their spirits Lord.  Give them strength for the road ahead and fill their spirits.  RENEW them Lord.  Reveal Your Holy Spirit and grant them comfort through Your Son Jesus Christ.  I pray for miracles, I pray for courage and I pray that Your presence would be with those who are very sick.  That if you should take them, You would hold them and give peace to those who are left behind.  May the world be impacted by those who've been lost and may those who live today share their legacy through Your Salvation in Jesus Mighty name I pray.....AMEN

... My Sure Fire Way To Make A Two Year Old Take A Nap ...

Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 02:49

We have a busy 2.5 year old named Noah.  And I do mean BUSY!  We have been having a hard time getting him to gain weight because he is on the run all the time, and can't be bothered to stop and eat most days.  Although he is getting better about eating when the rest of us do, and taking regular snacks, he is still on foot, moving and a'shaking all day long.  He rarely stops to come snuggle anymore like he did when he was 1, and he doesn't sleep as well in his bed either.  UGH

But a few days ago I found out a secret to getting him excited about getting into bed and taking a nap.  That morning I stripped down all the beds (ok, so there are only 2, but ALL the beds, sounds like I did alot more that I actually did. LMS) and washed and dried it all.  Around nap time, I realized Noah's favorite blankets, his stuffies, and pillowcases,etc. were still in the dryer.  I went to check if they were dry and they were.  About that time, Noah walked into the laundry room and saw me holding one of his bed blankets and said MINE as his eyes lit up.  He didn't see me take things from his bed, but he knew the routine of mom taking all blankets and stuffed animals, so he instantly said, WHERE"S CAT??? in a concerned little voice.  I said I don't know in a teasing manner, and he practically climbed into the dryer to find his cat (his name is also cat), his racoon (named Rusty and loved and washed for almost 2 years now without falling apart), and bunny (He used to sing Jesus Loves Me but we wore him out), taggie blankie (a blanket with ribbon tags all around the edges that he recieved from my mom) and all his other bedding.

I carried some of his items and he carried the most important....the stuffies.  I went to make his bed, and he scurried after me to place the animals and pillow in just the right spot.  (He thinks the two pillows in his bed should be used as extra padding and not a head pillow.  He sleeps on two pillow side by side instead of sleeping with one under his head. LOL He has done this since he was old enough to have a pillow in his crib! LOL)  Then I started to walk out, but Noah crawled up into bed and I thought, ok.  We will give this a try but I am sure in 2 minutes he will want up.

I tucked the little guy in as our ritual goes and he laid down, snuggled in, sighed and I left the room, closing the door gently as I left and told him I loved him and after he slept we would play with toys.  I stood just outside the door, waiting for a terarful hollar that he wasn't ready to nap.  (NO SLEEP!!!!!  MUST PLAY!!!  LOL)  BUt he didn't.  Miraculously, he went to sleep.  Leaving me suprised and thankful for the peace and quiet for the almost 2 hours he slept that day.  Dear Lord, thank you for nap times!!!  I need those few hours of quiet just as much as he needs the rest and sleep!!!