30 Days of Thanks - Day 22

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 07:11 by Kris in TN - 0 Comments - Link

Our youth group watched Wall-E last night. I highly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. It is a not-so-great picture about where we could end up if we, as a society, keep doing what we are currently doing. I honestly do NOT want to say much more than that because I think it is best to watch this movie without knowing much about it. If all of us watched this movie and took it to heart, I can't even begin to imagine the changes we could make that would benefit future generations. On a side note, this movie is f-u-n-n-y!!

Today, I am thankful for our youth get together last night. It lifted my spirits and I really needed that!

Of Plymouth Plantation-The Truth About The Pilgrims

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 06:51 by amanda - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

We have been reading this book for the past month. It is the diary of William Bradford, of Plymouth Plantation. It chronicles the Pilgrims experiences and trials while they were establishing their new home in America.

There are so many details in this book. So much that I have learned that will not be found in todays textbooks. You can truly see God's hand in these peoples lives throughout their journey to establish a new colony for the glory of God.

They had so many hardships, yet they continued to put their trust in God no matter what the outcome. These people really should be remembered as heros in this land today. Christian heros who loved God enough to leave ALL that they had to serve Him as the Bible commands.

If you have the chance to read it, PLEASE do so. It is FACTUAL information on the pilgrims with NO political reinventions. You will learn the truth about the first Thanksgiving!

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

No Condemation

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 06:23 by amanda - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

No Condemnation

In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. (Jeremiah 50:20)

A glorious word indeed! What a perfect pardon is here promised to the sinful nations of Israel and Judah! Sin is to be so removed that it shall not be found, so blotted out that there shall be none. Glory be unto the God of pardons!

Satan seeks out sins wherewith to accuse us, our enemies seek them that they may lay them to our charge, and our own conscience seeks them even with a morbid eagerness. But when the Lord applies the precious blood of Jesus, we fear no form of search, for "there shall be none"; "they shall not be found." The Lord hath caused the sins of His people to cease to be: He hath finished transgression and made an end of sin. The sacrifice of Jesus has cast our sins into the depths of the sea. This makes us dance for joy. ( I am so thankful that The Lord Saved me!)

The reason for the obliteration of sin lies in the fact that Jehovah Himself pardons His chosen ones. His word of grace is not only royal but divine. He speaks absolution, and we are absolved. He applies the atonement, and from that hour His people are beyond all fear of condemnation. Blessed be the name of the sin-annihilating God!

By Charles Spurgeon

Catching up

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 10:39 by Heritage Hill Homestead - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Where has this past week gone?  Time flies when you are having fun, right??  Well, I guess I have been having fun then.

The auction I talked about going to on Saturday was very cold!!  We got a truck load of stuff for a total of $12.  A large cooler we can use for Farmers Market, several boxes of canning jars, a table, and the best of all..........an arch way that I have been wanting for a long time.  This one had been used for wedding decorations, it has roses, tulle and lights on it, however those will come off and I will put it over the gate into the poulty yard and I will plant honeysuckle on it!  It cost a dollar!  Since it was so cold things went very cheap.

We stopped and got Kaylan and she came home with us to spend the night.  Then on Sunday there was a surprise party planned for Ryan celebrating him finishing his college class.  He still has some elective classes to finish up hours before he will actually graduate.  But he completed an 18 month business class and a huge paper.....so he deserved a party.  However, he was not particularly happy with the idea at first, I guess he doesn't like surprises, he was happy by the end.  Part of the problem was it was a beautiful day and he had plans to spend it outdoors.  Anyway, happy or not, we are very proud of you Ryan!

While in the area, Mom and I picked up pears.  I had wanted to get some and was afraid they may all be gone by then, but there were a lot of nice ones on the ground.  So, they are waiting on me to make something of them now.  I want to make pear honey for sure, maybe can some, not sure what all.

Monday I took Mom to see a very close friend that had a stroke about 3 months ago.  It was really hard to see her, but at the same time, she looked good and responded to some conversation.  She has come a long way and with therapy, and continued prayer she will improve.

Tuesday evening we attended a meeting in Emporia for local food providers.  I think they called it Growing Local Foods. Anyway, gardeners, livestock producers, etc. came together to talk about marketing ideas in our area.  It was a good meeting and we made a new acquaintance that lives near us and has many similar interests. 

Wednesday was the most perfect fall day, Thursday was winter!  Today not quite as cold.  We made a shopping trip today.  Stocked up on baking supplies mostly.  Sutherlands had their fruit sale today, so I got 15 pounds of Granny Smith apples, they were 69 cents a pound.

Speaking of bargains...........gas today in town was $1.65.......how about that!

Sunday we will celebrate Thanksgiving with a dinner following the service at church.  We are making a big pan of dressing, and I don't know for sure what else yet.  I suppose I should make deviled eggs as we have plenty right now. 

Well that about brings us up to date around the homestead.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 10:30 by Heritage Hill Homestead - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Finally I am back with the cinnamon roll recipe I mentioned.  I have made it 3 times now and it has turned out well.   They seem to stay soft for several days.  I am making them for the  same resturant that I make the pies for, so I wanted them to be really good!  Apparently they do like them as they have ordered them twice this week.   Thanks to LaJuan in Colorado for sending this to me and allowing me to share it here with you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This came from "Favorite Family Recipes - The Martin Family". They are a conservative (horse and buggy) Mennonite family out of Barnett, Missouri.

(Note: I baked them at 375 for 20 minutes)

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

CONGRATULATIONS

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 09:06 by Chas - 3 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Congratulations to my beautiful sister and her wonderful family on the birth of their new little one... Greyson!
He is adorable and healthy and my sister is AMAZING!! :)

Also,
Congratulations to my winner!

#36 CHALLICE!!!!!!!!
I will contact you about your prize!!! :)
Have a wonderful weekend my friends!
My Cup Runneth Over...

Confessions.... we put up our tree!

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 03:14 by Sunflower - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Our family tradition has always been to set up the Christmas tree the day AFTER Thanksgiving!  But my children are so excited about Christmas! They saw that there were Christmas things out in stores for the last month. They have been begging and begging to put up the tree, so I finally relented today after we finished school.  You should have heard their squeals of laughter and excitement as they pounded down the stairs to begin retrieving the Christmas preparations!  I even went upstairs and wrapped their gifts so that the tree would be complete.  They'll have a LOOOONNNNGGG time to be waiting to open those gifts!!  They were ready to make their Christmas chain.  Last year we made a chain and each day they could take turns cutting off the loops until we reached Christmas!

I will stand firm on not making the gingerbread house or Christmas cookies until it is closer to the actual day! :0)  Do you want to hold me to this?

What fun!

Happy Tree decorating ... whenever your family traditionally decorates... unless your children convince you otherwise!

wendy

It's Friday! Pizza Day at our house, and new things I learned about pizza making!

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 03:06 by Sunflower - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

We always eat Pizza on Friday!  It makes for easy menu planning as one day a week is always a given!  I  make 100% WW crust, and use homemade sauce.  I top it according to each group of members likes & dislikes. I make 3 pizzas.  One for DH that has most everything on it, one for me with fake (soy) cheese on it, and one for the little blessings, half pepperoni and half plain cheese!  we use nitrite free pepperoni.  Although I just saw a recipe for homemade pepperoni last night that I want to try.  We make most everything else, why not that!

So I watched this video from the library on pizza making because we can always learn more, right?

Here is some of what I learned and hope to apply today:

The key to a great pizza is a really hot oven. Pizza places usually have theirs at close to 500 degrees.  So bake yours for 20 min at 450 at the minimum (and keep an eye on it- check the bottom so it does not burn)

Make a really large batch of dough and then save half to make garlic bread for later.  Warm your bowl before starting to make your dough (this was new - but makes perfect sense!)

You do not have to allow pizza dough to rise! (I did not know this!)  You can make your dough and use it for pizza right away!   Therefore you can make pizza in just over 20 min!  (I usually start about 2 hours before!  this will help!)

He also said that using cheese slices instead of shredded cheese would make your cheese chewier.  So we'll try some of these things and see what happens!

Happy Pizza Making!

Unaswered Prayer?

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 03:02 by blessed mom - 4 Comments - Post Comment - Link

All of us have prayers we raise up to heaven that "seem" to appear go unanswered as of yet...... some of us have been praying for something for days, months and yes even years....... does God not hear us? This quote is for you.........and me. :)  ~ gloria ~

" God's timing is not ours to command.  If we do not start the fire with the first strike of our match, we must try again.  God does hear our prayer, but He may not answer it at the precise time we have appointed in our own minds.  Instead, He will reveal Himself to our seeking hearts, though not necessarily when and where we may expect.  Therefore we have a need for perseverence and steadfast determination in our life of prayer.

  In the old days of flint, steel and brimstone matches, people had to strike the match again and again, perhaps even dozens of  times, before they could get a spark to light their fire, and they were very thankful they finally succeeded.  Should we not exercise the same kind of perverence and hope regarding heavenly things?  When it comes to faith, we have more certainty of success than we could ever have had with flint and steel for we have God's promises as a foundation.

  May we, therefore never despair.  God's time for mercy will come -- in fact, it has already come, if our time for believing has arrived.  Ask in faith, without wavering, but never cease to petition the King simply because He has delayed His reply. Strike the match again and make sparks fly!  Yet be sure to have your tinder ready, for you will get a fire before long. "

 ~~ Charles H. Spurgeon ~~

Continuing to maneuver through Time4Learning!

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 02:49 by Sunflower - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

As we continue on our adventure with getting up and running and exploring with Time4Learning we learn more.

Time4Learning is marketed to public schools.  The publishers although not trying to offend anyone - have attempted to make the product culturally relevant and also age related relevant. 

We are navigating the younger grades.  It is very cartoony - which most children who are TV watchers will relate to.  Rather than lectures, they will learn through character that play out the information on the screen and interactive as the children are then quizzed on the information that was placed before them.  My daughters enjoy it and see it as "playing" on the computer.  We personally choose to limit our tv intake in this household.

Some families use this as their entire curriculum, others only as supplemental.  I am reading more, having ventured into the parent forums they offer.  As my daughters complete more activities I will explore the parent's reports that are available to me.

If you do try this program, I recommend that you sit with your child through the first set of lessons.  It is geared towards public schools, and so that material is laced throughout.  Humor, and scientific information supports that style of learning.  There is a wide array of opinions on this matter, and at this point I am sitting through  the material with our girls, and doing some more reading to see where my opinion will fall.

Happy exploring!