Toto I want to go home!!

I am still here!
Yes, I bet you thought I packed up and headed back to the city.....trust me I thought about it! Many, many times over this week!
I need a bumper sticker that says I survived the storm
 No I am not talking about a little wind and some heavy rain I am talking about rain that feels like bullets and wind so bad that it ripped the trees right out of the ground, by their roots!
Where was I in this crazy weather, well get comfy, because I am going to tell you!

I woke to a crazy roar, which startled me so bad I pushed dear husband soundly out of bed, and onto the floor. He was not too impresses as he has deep seeded issues with falling out of beds…don’t ask!

Then the power flickers and my only thought was to save my massage chair, I mean really what is more important, a good rub down or the computer…OK it’s a toss up??

I run downstairs to see what was up, and find trees swaying fiercely all around us, yes sir it was a sight. My dear husband the proven workaholic he is proceeds to tell me he has better get off to work, …and leaves. No surprise there.
I was surprised however when he comes on back only minutes after he had left.
Seems a tree had fallen on both exits to our road and he could not leave, ah ha! I get a day with the honey, and was feeling pretty happy, that is until I realized I had to take the children to the bus stop through the forest…hmmm.

So I leave with my kids and new dog, and the door nearly gets ripped off its hinges as I open it. As we are running through the forest I am thinking it a very bad decision indeed as trees stared to fall around us and power lines come down as well.

I kind of feel like Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ…except Toto is a big black dog, who is scared of noise, and.. OK..well forget it.
We scoot our wet bodies just as fast as a startled dog and two kids can scurry, up through the forest to the main road, and wait…and wait…wind whipping around us, soaking us to the bone, me looking frightfully at the trees.  Son says we should go, and I say (after 20 minutes) “OK if the bus doesn’t come by the time I count to 50 we can leave”, I count…very slowly…The bus never shows up. School was canceled, how was I to know?  The power was off, I couldn't check the internet?

We arrive safely home, and I settle into cleaning, as I pass the kitchen I witness two trees fall right out side our window, did you know trees fall really slowly, but make quite a crash as they land?
So the next days pass rather crazily because if you don’t have power you don’t have, running water, flushing toilets, light, stove, fridge, freezer, computer, and we didn’t have a phone either because all our lines to our house went down with a tree.

Dear husband escapes just as soon as the trees were cleared. (after a game of Risk with the kids)

Let me tell you I learned a lot about life in those long days, here is what I learned.

1)      I am not really a fan of camping in my own home, it seems fun if you are pretending in a tent on a camp ground, you know you can really just drive down the road and get what ever you need.

2)      I don’t like hauling water up from the river, I don’t care how cute Little House on The Prairie made it sound.. They lied!!

3)      I don’t like spending that much time with my family; they fight, bicker, and are generally miserable without worldly distractions.

4)      Collecting rain water is quite easy, and better than river water.

5)      The house looks cleaner in candle light, I also found that I look better as well !

6)      Showers are nice, they make you clean.

7)      Cooking in the fireplace takes a long time, and the results get little thanks.

8)      Finding the Coleman stove I almost got rid of when I moved was such a blessing.

9)      When kids pick up power lines that are just lying around your yard, to thank your God above that this little one just loves to wear rubber boots!

10)  And finally cabin fever is a very real infliction, not to be messed with.

So in hind sight I will always fill my bathtub at the first sound of a storm, and enjoy the trees that are left standing, until the next storm that is.

Toto I want to go home…..

The search is over....

Who among us has the need for companionship?
 Someone to hang out with, a friend in the good times and bad, a person to love you even if you smell like dung, garlic, and look like a wreck.

Someone you feel safe with, someone to walk with, someone who can cheer you up just by giving you that attention you so desire.

Yes this is my wish to you that you find that very special someone.

This week I am happy to share with you that my search, my need has finally been met. I have found exactly who I prayed for, who I believe, will round out our family and make us complete.

I would like you to meet Molly, a 6 month old lab, shepherd mix.

Bible quote~ Genesis 1:24 ESV 

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so.

GF Doughnuts, yes you can!

Are you craving those yummy sticky sweet doughnuts? Well here is the recipe you have been waiting for......yummm

Gluten Free Doughnut Recipe
yield: approximately 1.5 dozen
1 c. warm water
2 envelopes active dry yeast (1.5 Tbsp)
1 c. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
2/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. butter, softened*
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt
3.5 c. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
2 tsp. xanthan gum
1/2 gallon of oil (for frying)
*dairy free butter substitutes like Vegan Buttery Sticks or coconut oil would work
Step 1: Add the yeast to the warm water and proof for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of flour, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Whisk the sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt together and add it to the yeast/flour mixture. Then add in the remaining 3.5 c. of flour and the xanthan gum. Mix the dough together for several minutes. The dough should be somewhat thick but still soft, not thick enough that you think “this is going to be easy to roll out”, but more like “this dough may be a bit too soft to work with”
Step 3: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm spot for 2 hours. Then put it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, (but up to 16 hours) and get some sleep.
Step 4: Rise and shine! Roll out the dough to 3/8″ thick. Use a 3″ round cookie/biscuit cutter to cut out the doughnut, and then cut a 1″ hole (or thereabouts) in the middle of each with a floured knife. Re-roll the scraps and continue as above until you’ve used all of the dough. Let the doughnuts rise in a warm place for an hour. Do not cover them – the exterior needs to dry out slightly.
Step 5: Pour the oil into a large deep skillet (or stock pot) and heat it to 375 degrees F. I start the oil after the doughnuts have risen for 45 minutes so that everything is ready at the same time. Carefully drop a few doughnuts into the hot oil, being careful not to crowd. When one side has browned nicely (this doesn’t take long) flip the doughnut over and cook until the other side has browned as well. Cut one of the first doughnuts in two to make sure they are completely cooked and adjust your oil temperature as needed.
Step 6: When the doughnuts come out of the oil, lay them on a cooling rack or paper towels to drain. Once they’ve cooled just a little bit, roll them in the vanilla glaze and set them on a cooling rack.
Step 7: Sit down and eat while these are still hot. Keep eating until you can’t move or the doughnuts are all gone =)
Vanilla Almond Glaze
1 c. confectioner’s sugar
2 – 3 Tbsp. water
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond extract
Just stir briskly until all of the ingredients are combined. Make more as needed =)
 Thanks, Mary Frances for sharing!

Our new chicken coop

Well here it is our new chicken coop!
We had one of our very talented neighbors come and build it for us. He did an amazing job, And little one thinks he is super man, I mean it is pretty cool to see random boards and sheets of metal turned into a very neat coop!
The bigger kids said they want it for a fort....LOL, not a chance darlings, you have a run down boat!

We are trying to figure out what to plant for a cash crop, to make a little extra in the slow times. Our thought so far are Cherries, hops (we already own some, and are told they could be sold)?? and possibly tame blackberry s??
Any one have any ideas?

Well the sun is shining and I am itching to get out there and get some more dirt hauled over to my new vegetable beds. The weather has been beautiful the last couple of days and I find this so refreshing to my soul.

Just a word of advice on a different note Extra virgin olive oil makes a great moisturizer...just don't put too much on your face...unless you want to relive your teenage years.

 Just something I have learned, and don't ask!

(I have subscribed to crunchy Betty's blog, and she gives you all kinds of neat tips for natural face products, I seem to react to everything lately) Yes I know I told you..

Blessings~ 

God said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12.9-10) 

I love that God uses the weak, the imperfect and the least likely, for great things, refreshing eh?

Love you!

The Simple life

So here I am writing my blog at 10:58 PM, not the best time to write you say?
I disagree, the house is quiet, the kids safely tucked into bed and my mind primed for idle chit chat, even if it is my own chit without the chat.

So my thought today is what about a simple life?
I am growing more fond of this thought as time goes by and I live out my days in this secluded place. I think on it often, and wonder can I accomplish it?

I’ve broken my definition of simple into a few different parts.

• Uncomplicated – Not complicated by something outside itself. wrap your head around that one.. This means that our lives are free of stress, complexities, or things that make living a difficult process. Ok so I must admit I am working on this one! Is this even possible?
• Undecorated – To me this is about living frugal. Spending money on what is necessary and not blowing it on false needs. Wow..yes.. I remind my self of this daily, OK I did purchase the Organic extra virgin olive oil, ...I admit it!! But for me this means buying clothes from a thrift store instead of buying the latest and greatest new trend.
• Pure – This applies to living healthy and living in a way that is pleasing to God. I don't listen to music that is filled with negativity and cuss words, praise and worship is my favorite .....OK as I read this it sounds stuck up and idealistic but really I am not going for that....just my life goal, I fall short in every category this is my idealistic bucket list people!
• Innocent – This word pertains to living in a way that is respectful. I know that it is stretch when it comes to talking about simple things, but it is important nonetheless. Getting along with our families, friends, and even strangers can be challenging at times. To create peace, and love, we need to put some effort into our relationships, what is life without those close people who make your life a happy safe place?
• Basic – This word is similar to uncomplicated, but I am going to take it even farther. to live a life that is not cluttered by our own humanity. I fall so short in every category here but my life is like a puzzle, my pieces are still being found and fit together. I am so unfinished, but perhaps when my time here is up I will be a little more "put together" God uses our unfinished scrambled lives to create a beautiful picture whole and compete, only when we give all our pieces to him. If you are anything like me you probably have a few pieces clutched tightly in your hand, my goal to live simply is very simple indeed. Give all those pieces to HIM and trust that my picture will be put together in his time not mine.

My definition was not so simple…

I know, I know. That definition was as far from simple as it could be, I hope I did not lose you! Any way
What does the word “simple” mean to you? How do you apply simplicity to your life?

Bible verse for today:

Galatians 5:22 

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Our chickens are pooping out eggs!

Today was a good day...the hot tub found a new home!
Now to get rid of the huge boat, but seriously I loved your ideas. I liked the idea of making a coop, and the play fort is a winner.

So organic living...ah ya... going well.
Finally our chickens are laying! This is fun although I must admit I am having a wee bit of trouble eating the fresh eggs I collect every day. I mean I just saw the thing get squeezed out of a chicken bum. Can we say squeamish!

It is a whole new world..oh I just heard the song from Aladdin..sorry..
But really the whole food connection thing is so lost to me, and I am sure my city friends would agree
You want chicken you go to Super Store, and get your self some. Not to the coop..... I am seeing life a whole new way let me tell you!

I am also on a exercise kick, I am so missing the Y. Loved the Y, loved the challenging classes and Sue the insane instructor who made you feel like you were going to vomit 1/2 way through her class. Yep even loved that, the results were worth it!

So I am doing home videos. Yesterday I got a video from the library, the biggest looser exercise DVD. I started the video feeling pretty darn good. Every one in this particular video didn't looked like barbie without boobs, then I realized half way into the work out that, hey I'm getting tired and that 400 hundred pound guy in the back is still going strong. No fair! My competitive side wakes up and I go for it, until that is that my darling child walks in the room and laughs at me. I really miss the gym now! Child minding is a beautiful thing..

Well that about sums up my wisdom for the day....yep... not so deep today!

Tried to find a chicken verse, really hard to do! Happy Friday!!!!
 There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots. He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.  

Job 28