Christmas Ham

Each year for Christmas dinner because we usually don't have family over [since they live in FL, MO, & SD] we have a whole ham, au gratin potatoes, vegetable medley/casserole of some sort and usually a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake.  Since we'd returned from Florida in December 2010, it seemed a little strange having an imperfectly made white cake that signified Jesus' purity, green sprinkles signifying eternal life and red sprinkles signifying the blood he shed for us--for Christmas.

At Easter in 2011 we began having that particular cake for dessert then, instead.  It seemed more fitting with the significance of the symbols.  Yes, I know.  We're flipping things around here, but seriously, isn't "Joy to the World" sung at the wrong time of year?

Ok, I rest my case.

As for our Christmas ham, we use the leftovers to make Split Pea Soup.  We do this every year, sometimes more than once!  :0)  This year, however, I used a "bulk" bag of split peas instead of measuring.  Yup!  I just poured the whole bag in without even thinking!  Well, I figured out rather quickly that I'd have to adjust the amounts we put in to the soup.  LOL  I'd already had my ham bone and all the meat in there, it was just all the seasonings and the vegetables that needed to be adjusted.  Whew!  That was a good save!

Well, I intended to share this wonderful bounty with some friends so it wouldn't go to waste and since I had made almost 18 quarts of soup, it seemed silly not to share.  Go figure!  As I prepared to get ready to go, I received a phone call that the lady of the house wasn't feeling well and to see if the kids could play the following day.  No problem!  We ate our dinner of Split Pea Soup and put the rest away for the following day.

When we were getting ready the following day, I thought, "I'll just put the soup in jars and stick it in the refrigerator for them."  I didn't pressure can the soup because I thought they'd probably eat it that night for dinner.  I also didn't pressure can it because I'd been busy making the gravy for biscuits and gravy that morning for breakfast.  My lovely daughter, HJ, made the biscuits. :0)

A quadruple batch's leftovers after everyone's had breakfast. :0)

I received another phone call right before noon telling me that the Mrs. didn't feel well again and if the Mr. could bring the grand kids over to play at our house.  Great!  No worries!    When they got here, I was able to hand off the soup and hoped that it blessed them as well as a bag of home made baking powder biscuits so they didn't have to cook that night.  I was so glad to be able to bless them with those small things.  I know how difficult it is to be sick and not have a clue what to make for dinner.  

Our Christmas ham has served us well this year, along with some other home made goodies.  :0)

It is my prayer that the Lord will bless us in these small little "oops" ways in the future so that we can pass on the yummy "oopsies" to others too.  LOL  

Pensive

As with every year's passing, I get melancholy.  While I discontinued "New Year's Resolutions" years ago, I still find myself reviewing the previous year and wondering how to "do it better next year."

Do what?

You name it!  All in the name of setting goals!  :0)

God willing, of course.

I'd like to do just a few things differently or do a few more things this coming year.  I've started them already,  just because I don't wait for New Year's Day, but not on the scale I'd like to get to.

1).  I'd like to send more hand written cards and letters.  I know for the most part hand written letters for me is difficult due to my carpal tunnel issues, but I can type up a storm without problems.  So, I'll just work at it.

2).  I'd like to begin going away alone for one "weekend" or even an overnight, once a year for a time of prayer, journaling and reflection, without distraction.  Maybe I'd go to a cabin somewhere along Lake Erie or some place nice like that where I'm close to nature.  

3).  I'd like to go away 2 "weekends" a year alone with my husband.  In almost 23 years of marriage, we have not taken any weekends or even numerous week days away.  They don't have to be weekends, but if that's where it falls, then that's ok.  We've spent a couple hours here and there away and at most 6 hours, but that's it, recently.  When the kids were little, we did a yearly over night, but it never seemed to be enough for me.  I needed more time with him.

4).  I'd like to plant more flowers....just because...

5).  I'd like to sway to beautiful music together in the arms of the man I love....just because it feels good.

6).  I'd like to ride bikes more often together with my family.

7).  Maybe try going roller skating again.  =0)  [I have a ruptured disc in my back, so this would be questionable.]

8).  I'd love to serve God with my husband in a variety of ways....however He leads.

9).  I'd like to help more people, in any way I can.

10).  More and more and more and more sewing....

11).  I'd like to can and dehydrate lots more, too! :0)

12).  To worship wholeheartedly with my husband.


...of course if it never happens, I'll  be content with what God gives me for now, holding my plans loosely and trying very hard to adjust and redo!  :0)



  Romans 12:1-2  "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

A Wonderful Rendition

I was so completely taken back by the voice of this man.  What a wonderful feeling...

...unreserved...

...with all the heart and soul...

...praise of God!!!

(turn UP the volume!)

One of the Hazards of Home Schooling

I've had a wonderful time reading all of the book suggestions this school year that we've had while using the materials through Door Posts.  We use Plants Grown Up and Polished Cornerstones for character training, writing, business, finances and as many other topics we can glean from the materials.

This year my oldest son, DA, decided to study the section on "Loving a Wife."  The section begins with memory verses as follows~

Genesis 2:23
Proverbs 18:22
Romans 13:10
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
1 Corinthians 11:3
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Ephesians 5:22-33
Colossians 3:19-21
1 Peter 3:7

When I brought DA's list to my husband to review, I asked him if it would be a good idea for us to read those books before he completes this section.  He agreed.  We do this so that if there are issues that come up in our conversations, we will be fully aware of what they are reading as well as where their questions are originating.

While reading through the section, you would see books like Dating vs. Courtship by Paul Jehle, Christian Manhood by Gary Maldaner, Establishing Biblical Standards of Courtship by ATI [converted to be included in the Wisdom Booklets], Youthful Romance: Scriptural Patterns by Jonathan Lindvall [pamphlet now converted to article online],  Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot, and last but certainly not least Preparing for Marriage God's Way by Wayne and Nathan Mack.  This list is in no way exhaustive, but gives you some idea of what needs to be read and studied.

I have read quite a few books this year.  Currently I have at least 5 of them going on at any given time.  I have them tucked in areas where I can access them to read for just a few pages, then move on with other activities.  I've read His Perfect Faithfulness by Eric and Leslie Ludy, Love and Respect by Emmerson Eggerichs, The Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick and I am currently reading Becoming Heirs Together of the Grace of Life by Jeff and Marge Barth.

You get the idea...

A LOT of reading!

While at the moment, you may be thinking that with all this reading, the reading itself is the hazard which the topic of this blog post is referring.  

Rest assured, the sheer amount of reading is a joy to me.  I love to read.

That means the hazard is something else.  

What could it be?  The hazard of reading all these good books on love, respect, marriage, faithfulness, praying for one's spouse, submission [yes, it's in there!], among a host of other things is sheer

CONVICTION!!!!!

Every year we home school our children, the Lord brings something else to my attention that needs to be addressed within ME.  I am responsible for my own growth and change in to the godly person the Lord would like me to be.  It it my responsibility to listen to His voice.  Ultimately, I will stand before the Lord and answer for all the times I didn't listen to Him and in disobedience, went off to do my own thing and reaped the ever so painful consequences of my own actions.

Last Monday a lady told me that I must have the patience of a saint to home school my kids.  At the end of the week, I had another dear friend tell me that I have such patience with my husband and his needs.  I am here to confess that I have NO patience whatsoever!  With each day that I read and study more, I am faced with my own sin and resolve to do just a little better.  Does it always work?  No!  I lose it on a regular basis!    I am nothing without the Lord's grace, mercy, love and strength.  I home school my children to give them a better education based on their own needs.  I do not have the patience of a saint, but I do have the grace and mercy of God and with His strength, I can do all things.  

How is the Lord convicting you lately?  

Have a blessed day!

Regina

Early Mornings and Cold Feet

I am so very thankful the Lord wakes me at such early morning hours.  This morning it happened to be 4:37AM.  I was able to be up to say "Good-bye!" to my hunting men, read my scriptures (Proverbs 1 & a couple chapters of Psalms) and do one day in my Bible study.  I've been snuggled up in my hubby's robe because it reaches past my fingers and I get cold easily sometimes.  My feet still have to warm up.  I'm so very thankful for this fuzzy blanket with an adorable puppy on it that my precious children gave me for my birthday.  They know how cold I get at times and their thoughtfulness is such a gift.

I guess I should get more work done on my socks so I can have warm feet! LOL

Praising God for time to worship Him.  Yes, I worship every chance I get, which equates to deliberately taking a few moments to stop and listen to the praise music that just came on the radio.  Small moments of worship throughout the day are a wonderful uplifting balm to the soul.

Time alone with the Lord, it doesn't have to be just in the early morning hours.  Make time for Him, even just moments throughout the day, and your day will be richly blessed and your soul fed.

Last night, I had intentions of doing my daily exercises while listening to this DVD.  

 I finished my exercises as best I could, but found myself sobbing, in tears not only for family members, but with gratefulness for His mercy upon me in my life.  I couldn't help but worship and praise God.  I couldn't sing along, but whispered the words through my tears.

During my time, my husband came upstairs to check on me because I'd been warm downstairs with the fireplace going.  The room temperature was 75 Degrees F and I was getting hot, but needed to do my exercises.  What he found was not his wife doing exercises, but sitting on the floor next to our bed, with bloodshot, swollen eyes, head bowed and tears still flowing.  He asked me what was wrong and I couldn't answer.  Once I was able to answer because of being so overcome.  Eventually I told him why the tears and asked him to pray.  He did, then he kissed me and went downstairs.

There are thoughts that come to me in my deepest heart during these times of worship.  Yes, I do test them to be sure they're from God and if they are truly good, I know their source.  I am sure the thoughts He gave me were as a direct result of my husband's prayer.  Praise God!

Right now I'm listening to "Gentle Praise" on the local Christian Radio's online website.  I know they have other genre's to listen to, but I like this one currently.  

John 15:4  

"Abide in me, and I will abide in you. 

Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, 

neither can you unless you abide in me."

Can one praise and worship God while doing things of daily life, like dishes, laundry, mopping, vacuuming and perhaps hand crafts?  Absolutely!  While I listen to Gentle Praise, I'm going to knit some on my sock. :)

Have a Blessed Day!

Home School Planning Begins Now

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, since I do most my shopping online, I'm done shopping within a short amount of time.  With all this time on my hands it is the perfect time to begin planning for next school year.

Where do I begin?

1).  My husband--I ask him to tell me if there are topics that he feels a need to be covered.  If there is nothing then I go on to #2.
2).  My kids--I ask them what areas they're interested in "that we haven't covered yet."  That's the hint to them that they have to pick--something.  LOL  When they give me topics, I take them back to my husband to ask him to help me fill in the blanks in my own memory, suggest areas he'd like to see them study and to ask for prayer.  Then I move to #3.
3).  Sonlight.com has such wonderful biographies, classics and some newer titles that fall under historical fiction from the point of view of a young person.  They have everything organized by grade/age/topic.  If you want to buy their Core programs, that is up to you.  I prefer to use Sonlight as a resource of good books.  They are very high priced, so I look for select books based on the suggestions from #1 & #2 at amazon.com.  Most of the time I can get a book for $.01 and just pay shipping.  Usually this ends up being MUCH cheaper than it would if I would buy 3 Cores for my kids.
4).  If I've exhausted all of the areas to look on Sonlight, I go to Rainbow Resource Center and look up books by topic.  Once I get the book suggestions, I comparison shop to see if amazon would be cheaper.  Usually I get it cheaper, but not always.  There were 8 books this year that I couldn't find on amazon, so I just ordered the one book and didn't worry about the rest.  Additionally, Rainbow Resource Center has such a wonderful selection of every possible topic in their catalog.  Occationally, I'll pull out the catalog when I can't sleep and peruse a couple pages writing down the items that I think my kids would like.  Of course I don't get all of them.  It's just a wish list.  =O)
5).  After I look on the above mentioned sites, I scour Children's Books for additional resources like curriculum.  I look around on ebay for Easy Grammar because there isn't a store in our area where I can purchase this product.  I sometimes find it, but not always.  This past year I had it on my watch list, but when I was ready to purchase it someone had already bought it.  I bought it at Children's Books for a couple dollars more, but nothing too aweful.
6).  I usually go to our Plants Grown Up and Polished Cornerstones books to see what we haven't covered yet and put those books on our amazon wish list as well.
7).  We use Apologia for all of our Science work now, so we try to find it at a less expensive price than the website.  If we cannot find anything cheaper, we can know that we're putting our money toward good curriculum.
8).  For Language Arts for our older two children, we use Switched on Schoolhouse by Alpha Omega Publishers.
9).  For Math, we use Math-U-See for the boys and Switched on Schoolhouse for our daughter.

There are a host of other places to look for neat things for kids like Timberdoodle, Keepers of the Faith, Vision Forum, Love to Learn among some of them.  There are also resources for used curriculum, vegsource.com/homeschool is one of them.  I don't frequent this site much any longer.   It took a lot of my time to scour the site, email back and forth and so forth.  It just wasn't worth my time.  I'd rather spend my time creatively.

So, the all important question..."What are we going to cover next year?"

So far we've nailed down "Wars", "India", & "Russia".  We do 4 maybe 5 if we can, units each year.  At this point we haven't decided about the additional units, but I'm sure it will be decided in the next couple of weeks.

I am usually done planning and selecting everything we need for the next school year by the end of February.

How about you?

Fun & Busy Times

Recently, my husband discovered a hole in the gas tank of his truck, so his activities have been focused around finding parts that he needs, patches and refashioning pieces to make sure the tank fits back up in it's designated spot.  I don't have any pictures of him doing work on the truck, but all while this has occurred, he's had the fever-cold-cough-drippy nose-not sleeping well-flu.  He's on the upward swing from it all, but today he has awakened not very refreshed.  We're hoping he isn't having a relapse, but he spent most of yesterday resting with exception to about an hour worth of work on the gas tank with the young gentlemen of the family while I spent time knitting while HJ had her piano and flute lessons.  This morning he looks like he's been hit by a MAC truck--poor guy.  I'm hoping he feels better soon so we can enjoy some time together and he can go hunting with the children.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, we brought out the tree and all of the decorations.  Within a couple of hours it was all cleaned up, the unwanted stuff decluttered and the wanted stuff gracing our home with it's presence.  We've realized that we have 4 nativities, lots of angels and snowmen.  What fun it is to decorate on the Friday after Thanksgiving, have everything (including the tree) up while listening to Christmas songs and/or watching Christmas shows on DVD and Netflix.  What a blessing it is to create these family memories!  The hard part is to let the kids do all of it, but they want to, so it's ok.  In years past we've decorated only partially until we were able to go get a live tree.  Last year the local tree farm didn't open--at all.  We were stuck and decided to go buy a pre-lit one.  It went up and was ready to decorate in less than 15 minutes from the time the box was brought downstairs.  It feels so good not having bins out ready with ornaments, lights and tinsel to go on the tree for 2 weeks.  Now we're ready for guests without the bin clutter laying out.   I'm finding that our decorations are very simplistic, nothing overly done, yet beautiful.  Everything has it's place and my daughter, HJ, even had some extras to decorate the basement tastefully as well.  I'm so very blessed!

While Mr. G went to work on Saturday, the rest of us were invited to our friends' house, the "C" family whose grandparents live about 35-45 minutes from us.  We're actually friends with the grandparents too, so does that mean we're friends with 3 generations of the "C" family?  LOL The kids really made good friends with the children over the summer at VBS and Sunday School, so whenever the children are able to come this way, we try to get together.

DJC and his dad with their boy scout troop had made a trebuchet and being the wonderful folks they are, they packed it up and brought it out to share the fun of punkin' chunkin' with us.  Words cannot describe how much fun we had.  The science behind it all and the fun of seeing the punkins fly was sheer delight.  Toward the end DJC's uncle thought it would be fun to throw a "flaming" punkin, but unfortunately the flame went out before the punkin reached throwing status.  Below are a couple pictures of our adventure.

DJC on the right and his uncle on the left.

The "C" and the "G" children.  The "C" children are from 2 different Daddies, so there are cousins here.  :) All the kids were standing back away from the trebuchet, so I snapped a picture.  What fun!

Testing everything out before they let the kids pull the chord.

DJC's Dad, AJC, giving DA (my oldest) quick directions on what to do.  JL (my youngest) is to the left.

Getting ready to pull the chord.

I have a video too!

http://youtu.be/OKgOJz6uAjM

After taking all the pictures and videos, I was cold and went in the house to warm up.  We were invited to stay for pizza and had a wonderful time of fellowship, laughter, prayer and encouragement.

Sunday seemed like a blur of activity, with the holiday season and 4 of our 5 in bell choir and singing choir it's a lot of practices, but so much fun nonetheless. 

I love serving the Lord together with my family!

After church we came home and ingested more turkey leftovers, snoozed for 15 minutes, then took the boys to their piano lessons.   We had fun surprising a friend who works there, but we're keeping it a secret. ;)

All through this weekend I couldn't get my feet warm complete with warm toes, so it has spurred me on to get my own socks done.  I'm making my own socks just a little different than everyone else's socks.  I like ankle socks, so I'm making mine shorter.  That's the beauty of making your own things, I'm finding.  You can adjust the pattern for your own preferences and needs.  

What will I do after my own socks are done?  Finish an afghan and start fingerless mitts (I think) for gifts for next Christmas for all the ladies of the family.  I think that would be a wonderfully practical gift for everyone.

I caught my beautiful HJ propping herself up on the half wall talking with her brothers and Daddy and decided to snap a picture.  

DA who was cold and decided he needed to keep his robe on.  LOL

JL who needs to show his teeth more when he smiles.  LOL

Well, that's about it for us.  Our mighty hunters will be off school during hunting season, unless they get bored and want to do some school work, which happens too.  I'm going to get eye-brow-deep in cleaning and clearing out my husband's closet, helping him to declutter and organize so I can redo the inside of his closet...but...

that's a story for another day.

©Disney Clipart

TTFN!

Turkey Grande

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Our Thanksgiving began on Wednesday with the preparing of the pies.  We usually make 3 pies each year--Pecan, Pumpkin and Apple, each from scratch.  We love making things from scratch.  

We had a friend call earlier this week to tell us that they had an extra turkey and thought of us.  They had a very generous offer that we couldn't refuse for organic, home grown turkey that was cheaper per pound than the local grocery stores!  This turkey was 30 pounds!!!! 

Here we are trying to fit it in to the roasting pan:

Sadly, this is the only picture we had taken of our Thanksgiving day.  We had lots to eat, lots to be thankful for, lots of growing to do closer to one another and closer to God.  What a precious time.

After dinner, we talked and laughed and just enjoyed being together--memories I won't soon forget.  

Now it is on to getting Christmas decorating and shopping finished for everyone. As of right now, 95% of the Christmas decorations are up.  We found a few things to put in the yard sale pile as well.  I love that feeling!  There are a couple things to put in their place but due to carpet scrubbing occurring as I type, we just need to wait until the carpeting dries so that the electrical items don't have any problems.

What is left?  5%?  The outside lights, of course!  We're getting new lights for the outside of the house this year.  Mr. G and I love going shopping together for Christmas decorations. At this point in time, we're not sure what we're going to do with the lights, but it will be exciting!

I love my family!

John 15:9-12  "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  (10)  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  (11)  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  (12)  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

Finished Socks--Updated

JL's new socks are finished!

Now...to start my own socks.

Ten rows of ribbing done and I'm done for the night.  My wrist hurts, so that's the gauge I use to know whether to stop knitting or to continue.  

And So IT Begins

A gentle acceptance...

of God's guiding touch...

the peace that follows...

the research begins...

houses...

homeschool laws in a new state...

planning for finishing unfinished projects...

planning for a move...

Georgia...on our minds...

Northern GA.

And dear friends...

Please join us in prayer as we begin this journey.

My Mr. G

Yes, it's another installment about my Mr. G.  He told me about a song a couple days ago about "mannies and peddies" since it was Saturday.  Saturday is the day my daughter gets out the finger/toe nail basket and does all kinds of neat things on both of us.  Well, not my fingernails so much because I generally like those clear, but that's beside the point.  LOL

I just have to say, before posting the link to this song, I am so thankful for my manly man.  He's the epitome of a manly man complete with the guns, tools, tractor and truck with deer head, dog and camouflaged trim.  LOL  He grows his beard when it gets cool out just for hunting season and doesn't let me cut his hair until after deer season is over.

Yes, I am so thankful for my manly man.

Forgive me if this song offends you.  My Mr. G sent it to me.  We laughed about it, but honestly it does make me sad that the manly men are not celebrated and cherished and appreciated for being the men that the Almighty God made them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yQ9a-hJVy0



I'm truly appreciating this manly man with my whole heart.  He rides to church on his motorcycle when the weather permits and his back doesn't hurt.  Other times he'll come in his muddy truck and he's still loved and appreciated for being this wonderful man created in God's image, among the height of God's creation.

Praise God!

Mr. G's Classroom

This is a very picture heavy post, so please forgive me.  

This morning was the perfect weather to go to the hunting range with all of our young hunters.  Everyone, except me, shot the guns.  I just shot the camera.  LOL  

This is Mr. G's classroom.

I took this picture seconds before she shot and her shoulder just might be bruised from this one.  Mr. G told her at this point that she needed to change her stance, but she didn't realize how she was standing.  I took the camera over so she could see what he meant.

Then she did this.  Her shoulder felt MUCH better after changing her stance.

Collecting the targets (Sorry...things are out of order since I had to change the camera's batteries.)

Walking back from putting up the targets.

Handsome Mr. G sporting his yearly full beard for the season, although it was balmy warm 67 degrees out this morning.

I just love Pennsylvania.  Everything is beautiful!  

You know that verse, "train up a child in the way they should go?"  Well, ever since they were little, everywhere we went we would tell them to follow Daddy.  Now, it just comes naturally.

Don't worry, although she's a hunter now, she's still as sweet as pie. :0)  I cannot wait to hear stories of her gutting her own deer. :0)

The youngest hunter.  Heaven help us if all 4 of them get their deer this year.  I'll be calling ya all to see if you need any venison because my freezers will be packed!