Busy Hands Busy Minds

Encouragement

2012-01-20T13:13:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I get too busy to blog. Sickness, family responsiblities, projects all keep us on our toes and sometimes I just have no inspiration to blog or just don't feel that I have anything worthwhile to say. I've been going through such a time, but this morning I received a huge blogging encouragement in my email. I was notified that Busy Hands Busy Minds was selected as one of THIS particular website's top 100 homeschooling blogs. I find it interesting that the website is for those who are seeking a teaching degree! While I do have a master's degree in music education and at one time was certified to teach K-12, I certainly don't think a parent needs a teaching degree to homeschool his/her own children. However, I am thankful to be listed among some great blogs for those who may be interested in learning more about homeschooling by learning about individual homeschooling families.

Here is the website's short review of Busy Hands Busy Minds. And please check out the site for some really great homeschooling blogs. (just click on the award icon to go to the website)

"Anita brings nearly a quarter century of homeschool experience and an appreciation of an approach that allows room for life lessons to “Busy Hands Busy Minds”, where this mom of seven reflects on bravely showing one’s flaws while trying to present the best model and shares thrifty tips ranging from creating clever costumes to choosing a curriculum."

Mega Giveaway!

2012-01-17T08:52:00.004-06:00

No, I am not hosting a mega-giveaway, but wanted to let you all know about a special fund-raising giveaway that will benefit the Gullett family in their adoption journey. There are some amazing prizes including a Flexi-Clip like the one I am currently wearing, handmade soaps, gift cards, hard lotions (a favorite around here), cookbooks and so much more.

Please check out this post to find out more about the Gullett family and their adoption efforts and how YOU can enter to win some fabulous gifts. The best in this situation, though, is that a God-loving family will be bringing home a needy child to bring up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord.

http://goodnessandgraceblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/special-fundraiser-for-our-adoption.html

Normal/Crazy/Stressed? You Pick!

2012-01-16T13:27:00.002-06:00

We've been passing around a cold here at Busy Hands Busy Minds for the past 11 days. That included another ambulance ride and ER trip for Caedmon and then a doctor's visit for both the little boys. Everyone else has started with the ocean in the head symptoms, coughing, etc and this morning...when I was so very determined to have a productive school day....I have no voice!!

I loaded up the car with six of us and we headed to our chiropractor for some much needed adjustments. On the way home, Jackson (7) started vomiting. And then, after we got home he started complaining about his ear hurting...again....and then threw up....again!

Jeff starts filming a new project this evening and will EVERY weeknight except two for the next three weeks! Then he'll be home in the evenings (I hope) for two weeks and then head off to the UK for two weeks for more filming.

Tomorrow I will go pick up the grandchildren and bring them to stay with us for a few days while Lauren and James try to get moved into their new home. Devin will stay with them to help Lauren...'cause she has already started having contractions and the doctor doesn't think she has much longer until the new baby arrives.

I have about decided that we need to not plan on doing school in January from here on out! It seems we are ALWAYS sick in January. I think all the extra sweets and rich foods from the holidays in conjunction with the crazy weather variations that are typical in MS in January combine to lay us low!

Thanks so much for stopping in and maybe we'll get back to posting about more interesting things soon...like maybe in March? In the meantime, maybe you would like to read about WHY my daughter and her family are moving into a new house....find out here. Or maybe you would like to see how we rendered LARD several weeks ago. Or maybe you'd like to see how we built a chicken tractor! Or how Jeff and the kids built our chicken coop. And I still need to post some pictures of our kitchen remodel....that we started the day after Christmas!! I tell you, we really need a break!

homesteadrevival.blogspot.com

Menu Plan for January 16-22

2012-01-15T15:34:00.000-06:00

Well, the kitchen is back in order, but there are still several things that are not finished. : ( I need to touch up the paint, Jeff needs to finish up the trim work and install the new lights and that will be it....until we can get a new cabinet for the sink area. Maybe one day I will have it cleaned up when the lighting is good. I can get it cleaned and looking, oh so nice, but then the lighting is not good. We are definitely glad to be finished with most of the work, but I am already looking ahead to getting the dining room, hallway and the boys' bedroom painted this year. There is always something that needs to be worked on around here!!

Our days will be a little more topsy-turvy this week as Jeff will start filming his newest project tomorrow evening and every night next week and into the next week as well. That means he'll be home a little later in the mornings and a couple of the older ones will be gone with him in the evenings. I don't know when they will be able to eat, but I've planned a menu anyway.

Monday
B-cranberry/apple baked oatmeal
L-tuna salad or shredded chicken wraps, apples, popcorn, or chicken soup
D-chili with beans, tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream

Tuesday
B- applesauce muffins, bacon, eggs
L-leftovers
D-pork carnitas, peppers and onions, refried beans, rice, corn tortillas, salsa, sour cream, cheese

Wednesday
B-pancakes, sausage, eggs and grits
L-French onion soup and fresh bread
D-leftovers

Thursday
B-ham and cheese quiche and sausage biscuits
L-potato soup, rolls, apples
D-deer steak, rice, gravy, butter beans, creamed corn

Friday
B-cranberry/apple baked oatmeal
L-leftovers
D-homemade pizza

Saturday
B-biscuits, sausage, eggs, grits
L-leftovers, popcorn, apples
D-baked chicken, coucous, flatbread, tsatziki, salad, pepper, olives

Sunday
B-cinnamon rolls
L-roast, potatoes, carrots and onions, green beans, squash, rolls
D- pot luck with small group

Completion

2012-01-07T07:34:00.001-06:00

No, we are not quite finished with our do-it-yourself kitchen remodel, but I am hopeful that today will see the job completed....well, completed enough for now anyway. We will still need to install the new lighting and will soon need to replace the sink cabinet and countertop, but for now our work is almost done. (on that job, anyway!)

Thanks so much for bearing with me...I have saved you some time in the cyber world by not having many posts these last few weeks and I have noticed an increase in Busy Hands Busy Minds "followers"...so thanks!! It is always a great honor to have someone join us on our journey through this busily blessed life that we lead.

This morning I was blessed with a post over at Raising Homemakers. It just spoke to me in view of all the work we have been doing around here. Take a look and see if it doesn't bless, encourage and inspire you as well!!

Raising Homemakers: Feminine Diligence

Menu Plan for January 2-8

2012-01-01T15:46:00.001-06:00

We are smack-dab in the middle of a huge kitchen remodel at Busy Hands Busy Minds. My stove, refrigerator, freezers and microwave are parked in the dining room while the dining room table and chairs are shoved off to the side and are topped with various kitchen accoutrements as is a temporary table that is set up in the den to hold even more kitchen ware. Folks, it. is. a. mess!!

I now have a nice new frame around my kitchen window, painted walls and trim work, painted cabinets and tile on half of the floor. Jeff will finish placing tile tomorrow and I hope to do some touch-up painting around him. Then we will need to make some final decisions on finishing out the cabinets, grout the floor, hang shelves and just get everything back in order. Oh, and then there are still the new light fixtures to hang, a broken dishwasher to remove and eventually a new cabinet for the sink and new countertops. A kitchen remodel just brings chaos to the whole house, doesn't it? We will be so thankful to have it completed and are very pleased with the way it's turning out.

As we can't use our stove right now, our cooking is limited to one hot plate, two crock pots, a large roaster oven and the microwave. Right now I am testing out a cranberry apple crisp in the roaster oven. If it works out we will be taking it along with some green beans in the crock pot to our church's pot luck dinner tonight. If it doesn't we may be taking cheese and crackers!! This is my menu plan using my limited cooking resources this week. Hopefully my kitchen will be back in order by next weekend!

Monday
b-bacon, eggs, grits
l-venison stew and broccoli soup
d-grilled burgers, homefries, carrot sticks, pickles

Tuesday
b-cold cereal or granola
l-leftovers
d-turkey pot pie, English peas, apple cranberry crisp

Wednesday
b-sausage, eggs, grits
l-sandwiches, carrot sticks, apples, popcorn
d-cheese quesadillas with salsa

Thursday
b-cold cereal or granola
l-sandwiches, popcorn, fruit
d-beef roast with potatoes, carrots, onions, green beans

Friday
b-pancakes and sausage
l-leftovers
d-chicken spinach alfredo, pesto bread, salad

Saturday
b-biscuits, bacon, sausage, eggs, grits
l-leftovers
d-stewed potatoes, peas, corn, turnip greens, sauteed squash and corn bread

Sunday
b-cinnamon rolls
d-baked chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions and any leftover veggies, dinner rolls
s-with church small group

Taking a Break

2011-12-27T16:26:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to check in with you all real quick!! We've been cleaning up from our Christmas celebration with family and today I've started getting the little boys' school things organized while Jeff and Aaron have started the preliminary work on getting our kitchen painted and tiled. Apparently, it's a lot more involved than I thought. : ( We will also be painting the cabinets and need to replace one wall of lower cabinets. Water damage doesn't just get better with time, you know!! Our work around here is never done and never easy, but we sure do learn a lot as we work together. Hope you all had a very blessed Christmas and are looking eagerly ahead to what the Lord will be teaching you throughout the new year. See you later!

A Clanging Cymbal

2011-12-21T10:14:00.001-06:00

Things are busy around here in the final days before Christmas. Making Christmas goodies, gifts and freezer meals. Last minute shopping and wrapping. Cleaning.....and then even more cleaning. With so much busy work and so many people living here things can get a little tense. As I was trying to get my helpers rolling this morning this passage from 1 Corinthians 13 popped into my head....Ouch!! I thought surely I am not the only one who gets a ~~little~~ lot stressed this time of year. Please, tell me I am not the only one!

1 Corinthians 13: 1

Thought I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

I don't want my children to remember me during the holiday season or any other time when they see or hear annoying sounds. Ouch!! I need to do some serious work on that! How about you? Is this a problem for you or do you breeze through this season in a calm and stress-free manner?

Rendering Lard

2011-12-20T08:28:00.001-06:00

When we recently had a hog slaughtered, we asked the butcher to save as much of the fat as possible for us because I wanted to try to render the fat to make lard. My mom sent us home with this incredibly heavy three-legged cast iron pot that had a butane cooker made specifically to fit it! That way were were able to set up outside to do our work and not have any unpleasant smells inside. Jeff set up the equipment on our back deck and used a broken cardboard box under all to keep any grease from the wood. It was a very nice day...sunny, a little bit of a breeze and not too cool.

Making up the first batch.

I used a 2 quart Pyrex measuring cup to hold the melted fat. I first strained it through a mesh strainer lined with a flour sack.

Jeff cut the slightly frozen fat into smaller chunks so that it would cook down faster.

A large pan full of fat ready to go into the cooker.

Isn't that pretty ingenious? We were able to get all the fat cooked and in jars in less than two hours...and the house didn't get filled with odors, either!

After cooking down and ladling off the fat you are left with the cracklings. I left them in the pot until the last batch of lard was removed and then let all the cracklings cook down until very crisp. This batch was cooking down.....It was NOT done!

The little boys decided to build a little tent while we were busy working.

Mr. I've-Got-Personality

They came close a few times to see the process...it was a family affair as Jeff and Kaelan poured the lard into heated cannning jars in the kitchen while I tended to the pot.

Yum!! Our first taste of cracklings!! A little salt and they make a nice little snack. I think tonight's cornbread will have a sprinkling of cracklings mixed in.

And now we have 16 jars of lard to use in soapmaking and cooking this winter. No, my lard isn't white! That's because it was cooked up in an iron pot. Can't wait to test it out soon!

Linking up with Jasmine at Above Rubies

and at Titus 2sday

and at Teach Me Tuesdays

Menu Plan December 19-25

2011-12-19T08:23:00.000-06:00

Monday-hamburger steaks, rice, gravy, turnip greens, English peas, glazed carrots and cornbread

Tuesday-spinach macaroni and cheese, purple hull peas, broccoli, sauteed squash and onions, roasted potatoes, cornbread

Wednesday-bean soup and vegetable soup, salad, homemade bread

Thursday-spaghetti, salad, garlic and pesto bread

Friday-creamy green chili chicken enchiladas, Army Man rice, refried beans, salad, chips and salsa

Saturday-grilled pork ribs and pork chops, baked potatoes, sweet and sour green beans, grilled onions and garlic, rolls, salad

Sunday-baked chicken, dressing, squash casserole, apple-cranberry casserole, sweet and sour green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, fruit salad and rolls

Our Jesse Tree

2011-12-16T09:30:00.002-06:00

Our Jesse Tree

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2: 8

a camel and the stump of Jesse
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. Isaiah 11:1

This little wire basket holds our Jesse Tree ornaments as they wait their turn to go on the tree.

Pick and Draw Giveaway Winner Announced

2011-12-16T07:44:00.000-06:00

Congratulations, Kyodi!! You are the winner of the fun Pick and Draw Game. Please email me at jeffandanita@wildblue.net ASAP with your home address so I can get your information to Rich Davis, game creator. Get your pencils and papers ready for a great time!

Multi-Generational School Day

2011-12-15T08:33:00.002-06:00

Please don't forget to sign up for the Pick and Draw giveaway here. I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Blogger seems to be messed up this morning. Please excuse the small print.

Yesterday, Lauren, my oldest daughter, and her three children came to spend the day with us. We are blessed that she lives close enough to bring the gang over every other week or so to visit. Chase, my four year old grandson, loves to come and do school with us, so I had planned some simple activities to do using items from our craft cabinet.

First up after lunch and cleanup we made snowmen faces using paper plates and various foam shapes. I had originally intended to make entire snowmen, but sometimes when you have four boys ages 7, 4, 3, and 2 working together, you change plans mid-stream!! ; ) Here are some of the snowmen faces the boys made....some even have boots made from foam and leftover from Bible school crafts many years ago!

While I cleaned up the sticky, gluey mess, the boys took a sucker break. I am finding that you MUST keep them occupied at all times or things can get out of control very quickly. The suckers kept them quiet and as we don't let them walk around with them...kept them still as well.

Then we had Circle Time. When my older girls were little we began meeting together each morning to go over various facts, read a Bible story, work on Scripture memory, sing songs and read a book. Due to the HUGE age span of my children, I have not been doing Circle Time activities with my own little boys. We do the same things, but not during a set time. My days have usually been focused on the older children and the younger ones have tagged along and I have fit in their activities when able, but now that I will only have two older students, ages 12 and 15, I will be focusing more of my time with the younger ones. So, yesterday, Lauren and I gathered the four boys (and 14 month old Ashtyn Claire was in and out as well) and sat on the floor in a circle. We sang the days of the week, the months of the year, the name song for each boy, our phonics song and much more. As we sang we would either roll a ball to each other or toss a bean bag...trying to keep a little movement going is important for wiggly boys. We sang Christmas carols and finished up by reading a Curious George book. Whew!!

The boys spent some time outside on the trampoline and playing in the leaves. We took popcorn kernels, stale biscuits and cornbread out to feed the chickens and spent some time watching them gobble up the food. While the other boys were feeding, Kaelan took one or two of them into the coop to gather eggs. This is what she found. Do you see that teeny-tiny egg? Never have we had one that small! When the hens first begin to lay, their eggs are small and get bigger with time. The egg next to it is a very large egg.

After dinner we had another Circle Time repeating some of the same songs and activities to get them settled down before they headed home. My hat is off to those of you who have lots of littles with no older ones to help out. It can be exhausting and overwhelming! Planning some simple activities, though, to channel their energy helps to make the day more productive, fun and interesting for all! And this grandmother is so very thankful to have her own little boys and grandchildren to plan fun activities for!

Decking the Halls---Traditions

2011-12-13T09:28:00.008-06:00

Don't forget to leave a comment here for a chance to win the fun drawing game PICK AND DRAW.

We have many family traditions especially around this time of year. Today I thought I would share just a couple of them. Every year since moving out to the country we have tried to decorate with some greenery from our property. Early last week I asked the big guys to gather some for me, but Jackson (7) decided he would tackle the job alone. He got a small saw and cut down two pine saplings. Then he got the loppers and trimmed all the branches off, loaded them into a box and brought them to me.

Devin made two swags like this one with just one small branch, two cinnamon sticks, a rubber band and a length of ribbon. Very simple and I am ALL about simple these days!

I put two large wreaths together by using a wire wreath form. I tied the pine branches on the form with florist's wire. Jackson then searched for small pine cones and we added those to the wreath as well.

Every year since our oldest daughter was born my mother has purchased each grandchild an ornament. We have also purchased each of our children an ornament and we do the same for our grandchildren. My mom started purchasing the pewter ornaments from Avon several years ago and they are gorgeous. Jeff and I try to get ornaments that reflect an interest of each child or as a remembrance of a special trip or vacation. Some years it is hard to find that one special ornament and when that happens I choose some of our favorites...for the boys...trains, nutcracker soldiers....for the girls....angels or snowmen. Here are this year's selections.

Jordan got a pig ornament to help him remember the night we had to chase two hogs that had escaped their pen. It wasn't a whole lot of fun at the moment, but later it sure has brought us many laughs!

The snowman was this year's selection from my mom. All seven of the children have one just like it!

Kaelan has actually selected several of her own ornaments and she tends to love bird ornaments. This year I found this cute owl that is a huge jingle bell!

Jackson declared himself the "chicken tender", so this beautiful rooster was perfect for him this year!

As a young woman, Devin is at a time that she is making decisions that will affect the rest of her life. This simple angel with the word FAITH will help her remember to have faith that God will lead her if she will follow.

This year Aaron recieved another nutcracker ornament to add to his collection.

Caedmon has loved dressing up in cowboy gear this year, so this cute little ornament was perfect for him.

Lauren and her family will soon be moving into their new home and are not putting a tree up until then, so I haven't given them their ornaments for this year.

Our tree is full of beautiful ornaments that bring back so many memories for us. As our children grow and leave our home they will receive their own box of ornaments to take with them. Lauren treasures her ornaments as keepsakes from childhood. When her home was destroyed by tornado earlier this year (they were on an overnight trip and were not harmed at all) the first things that she wanted to find were her ornaments and her books. Her ornaments were fine, but sadly she lost most of her books.

What are some special family traditions that your family has during this holiday season? Do you celebrate Advent, have a Jesse Tree, sing carols, have a special holiday snack? I would love to hear about YOUR family traditions!

Menu Plan December 12-18

2011-12-12T13:06:00.001-06:00

Don't miss out on the giveaway that I have at THIS POST!

I just put on a huge pot of taco soup for dinner tonight and there will be plenty to freeze for another meal or two. I love cooking large batches to have more than one meal with the same amount of work. I know there are several recipes out there for taco soup, but mine is very simple and uses mainly "real foods" meaning no canned soups or mixes. I brown about 3 pounds of ground beef with two chopped onions. I added a gallon of the pinto beans that I cooked up late last week, two cans of whole corn and two cans of Ro-Tel. I then added a gallon of tomato sauce. I will add seasonings after this has simmered for a while...about 2 each of salt, garlic, cumin, chili powder and a sprinkling of red pepper flakes. Simple, wholesome and nothing artificial!!

Monday-taco soups with corn tortillas on the side
Tuesday-veggie night...stewed potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, turnip greens, creamed corn, purple hull peas, cornbread and broccoli salad
Wednesday-bbq pork sandwiches, baked beans, coleslaw and oven fried potatoes
Thursday-Soup Night--shrimp gumbo and broccoli soup
Friday-chicken enchiladas, rice, refried beans
Saturday-spaghetti, pesto bread, salad
Sunday-pot luck with small group

Breakfasts will be baked oatmeal, granola, applesauce muffins, pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, grits or biscuits.

Lunches will be leftovers, pasta salad, cheese, crackers, fruit and popcorn.

The KING of Kings Salvation Brings

2011-12-11T07:09:00.001-06:00

What Child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ, the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ, the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;

Come, peasant, king to own Him.

The King of kings salvation brings;

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

This, this is Christ, the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Don't forget my giveaway for a Pick and Draw game....here!

Pick and Draw Review and Giveaway

2011-12-10T11:47:00.003-06:00

The other day we received a fun package in the mail. Rich Davis, the creator of Pick and Draw, kindly sent my family a Pick and Draw card game for review purposes. Yesterday I gathered a handful of children ranging in ages from 3-19 for a quick test game. Oh, I played too!

The card pack consists of cards divided into several catagories: face, eyes, nose, hair, and mouth drawn in cartoon form. The object of the game is to select a card for each catagory and to draw your own cartoon character. We had fun doing this...especially my artsy son who already loves to create cartoon characters.

My final drawings!

Kaelan's cartoon man

Jordan's version....

Jackson's characters

Aaron's characters

Pick and Draw promotes motor skills and flexible/creative thinking
is engaging; relational and simple
develops diceision making skills
works on comparing and contrasting
is a great storytelling tool
is portable
and builds confidence!

Pick and Draw would also make a great stocking stuffer or even a hostess gift for a family with children!

Would you like to win a Pick and Draw card set for the children in your life? Follow these easy steps!

1. Leave a comment letting me know you would like to win.

2. Follow Busy Hands Busy Minds and leave me another comment letting me know you did so....or that you already do!

3. "Like" Busy Hands Busy Minds on Facebook and leave me another comment letting me know you did so...or that you already do!

You can also purchase your own Pick and Draw game or grab a few for some last minute gifts at www.pickanddraw.com! Commenting will close at midnight, Thursday, December 15. A winner will be announced the next morning!

Christmas Music

2011-12-09T08:13:00.000-06:00

It's on the radio. Christmas CDs are played in the car and in the kitchen. Our violinists and pianists are practicing for a recital and for fun. We gather to sing several times a week around the Advent wreath. It is Christmas time. Jeff misses much of his life as a church music minister and he tries to keep up his trumpet skills by playing in the local symphony and in church cantatas throughout the year. The other day I encouraged him to play WITH the children, so last night he did.

Caedmon and Jackson joined Jeff with their bugles and Kaelan on violin. Devin was playing the piano and then Aaron had a turn on the piano as well. He needs lots of practice accompanying as he has reached a higher level in the hymn festival coming up next month and will be playing with the audience singing.

The little boys were doing a great job! Of course, they couldn't play the melody on those toy bugles, but they did a great job with the rhythms!!

Caedmon needs a little help with his embouchure and needs to hold his bugle right side up! But he was so cute!

See what I mean?

Fun time!

The boys were fresh from the bath and dressed warmly for bed.

Caedmon was so intent on playing along with "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly".

I'm ready for them to break out in Bugler's Holiday. It may take a few years before the little guys are ready for that one!

Love those puffy cheeks!

Watching daddy for the cut-off!

A sweet time!

Pizza, Stuffed Sandwiches and Cinnamon Rolls

2011-12-07T16:09:00.002-06:00

This is a repost from a while back, but last week a local friend sent pictures of a pizza and stuffed sandwich her daughter ( I think she is about 12) made for her family using the following recipes. She was very creative and I am sure her family was very blessed by the good wholesome food. Thanks for sharing with me, Ainsley!! Here are the pictures she sent along with the original post. If you have used one of my recipes I would love to hear from you!

Mr. Pizza

Sandy the Centipede Sandwich

We eat a lot around here! I've been posting so many recipes lately so I am sure that was no surprise. The following recipe is one for which I get lots of requests. I have shared it with several friends who use it to make their own homemade pizzas. One friend recently was having a very busy day and was expecting company for dinner after arriving home. She called and asked if I could whip her up some pizza crusts and sauce so she could quickly throw together some pizzas to share with her guests. I was very happy to help her out!

This recipe originally came in the cookbook that accompanied my VitaMix 15 years ago. I have adapted it to use in my Bosch Universal Mixer as I dislike making doughs in my VitaMix. As is normal for my family, I generally double this recipe. I use this pizza crust recipe to make pizzas, cinnamon rolls and stuffed sandwiches. Recipes follow!

Pizza Crust

1 cup lukewarm water

1 T. active dry yeast

2 t. sugar or honey

1 T. olive oil

1/2 t. salt

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I use half all-purpose and half whole wheat)

In a two-cup measuring cup, mix water, yeast and honey. Let sit to proof.

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. When yeast has proofed add to the bowl. Add the olive oil. Mix with a heavy spoon (or with a heavy duty mixer/food processor). When mixed well, knead by hand or machine. Hand knead on a flour coated surface for about ten minutes or by machine for 5. Check for elasticity by poking with your finger. It shouldn't be too dry nor too sticky.

Place dough in a greased bowl to rise for about 20 minutes.

Punch down. Divide in half if using for pizzas. Shape onto lightly greased pizza pans, pinching up a collar around the edge to hold the filling. Prick dough in about 6 places.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Let dough rest for about 10 minutes while the oven preheats. Bake for 15 minutes. Top with your favorite pizza sauce and add other toppings. Bake for 15 more minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly browned. Serve immediately.

Italian Tomato Sauce (Pizza Sauce) from Once-a-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg

3 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes in puree

3 tablespoons sugar (I omit)

3 T. Italian seasoning

6 t. chopped, fresh parsley or 3 t. of dried parsley

3 T. dried basil leaves

3 t. garlic salt

1 1/2 t. pepper

Mix all ingredients into a heavy, large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. One cup of sauce will cover one medium to large pizza. I freeze approximately 2 cups in baggies for later use.

Cinnamon Rolls

After you have let the dough rise, roll out the dough on a floured surface. Make a rectangle that is about 1/4 inch thick. Melt 1/2 stick of butter. Spoon butter over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle liberally with cinnamon. Cover with brown sugar. I don't measure!! Starting away from you, roll the rectangle from the widest point towards you. I generally slice my rolls about an inch thick with a knife. Devin likes to use dental floss or thread for this. She cuts of a piece about a foot long and places it underneath the roll. She brings each side of the thread up and crosses them over the roll. This makes a very clean cut.

Place the rolls in a greased baking pan. Let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Make an icing with powdered sugar and butter or with powdered sugar and cream cheese. You may need a little milk if the icing is too thick. We make several pans at one time. We under bake the cinnamon rolls and then freeze them in the pans for later use.

Stuffed Sandwiches

This dish was inspired by the West Ladies on The Homestead Blessing Baking DVD. Using this same dough, I can make a fabulous and filling hot sandwich. One option you can do in making the dough for this sandwich is adding herbs and spices into the flour mixture.

While my dough is rising I prepare the filling. Add two tablespoons of olive oil to a large, heavy skillet that has been heated over a medium heat. Add 1 1/2 pounds of ground meat. (Remember I double the dough recipe and make two LARGE sandwiches.) Chop the meat and let it brown. As the meat is browning, add two minced cloves of garlic and 1/2 chopped onion. Stir well as this continues to brown. Continue cooking as you add shredded vegetables. We like to add a shredded carrot, a zucchini and a yellow squash. I have added broccoli chopped up very fine, but the children prefer the squashes. Add a sprinkling of salt and pepper, Spike seasoning, sage, basil, onion salt or whatever seasonings you prefer. My choices change each time I make this.

After your meat and veggies have cooked through, add one block of cream cheese. Remove from heat and stir until cheese is completely melted. On parchment paper, roll out the dough into a rectangle. Pour mixture into the middle of the rectangle. If you double this recipe, make two rectangles. With kitchen shears, cut a strip from the outer edges of the dough to within 1/2 inch of the meat mixture. Pull the strips up over the meat mixture while giving a little twist. Do this until you have pulled all the dough over the meat mixture. Place on a cookie sheet. Let the sandwich sit for about 10 minutes for the dough to rise again. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes or until sandwich is lightly browned.

Turning Leftovers into Do-Overs

2011-12-06T07:44:00.005-06:00

At our house I intentionally cook so that we will have leftovers. With a large and busy family, sometimes leftovers can be a mom's best friend....but sometimes the family may balk at a second or third meal of the same dish. Many times when we try a new dish Jeff proclaims it to be a "do-over", meaning it was so good he would like to see it on the table again. So what can you do with those leftovers to turn them into Do-overs?

For Thanksgiving I purchased a huge 20 pound turkey. I cooked it at a low setting in my 22 quart roaster oven for about 20 hours. (thanks for the roaster, Becky!) The turkey browned beautifully and was delicious for our big dinner. There was also a huge amount of beautifully golden drippings in the pan as well. After the meal, one or more of the children deboned the carcass, put it back in the pan with all the drippings and juices and added a couple of gallons of filtered water. I let this cook on low for another day. Usually I would add in some carrots, onions, garlic and apple cider vinegar, but the children were doing this for me and well, it was Thanksgiving Day, so we made it simple.

After straining out the bones and getting any remaining meat, I poured up two of the richest, darkest gallons of turkey broth I have ever made. It was wonderful!! I try to keep turkey, beef and chicken broth canned up, and still had some turkey broth from the spring so I decided to use up the broth and remaining meat for some freezer meals.

First, I made a turkey/rice dish. I browned a diced onion, finely chopped garlic and finely chopped carrots in olive oil. Then I added two cups of rice and sprinkled in some dried chives to add a little more color. When all was lightly browned I poured in four cups of that lovely broth and about two cups of chopped meat. A liberal dose of salt and pepper were also added. Stirred it up, let it come to a boil and then simmered until done. A simple, filling and wonderfully nutritious meal!

Then I decided to make up a turkey pot pie base for the freezer. A couple of chopped onions, several diced carrots and potatoes and a can of whole kernel corn were added to a gallon of turkey broth along with salt and pepper. After the veggies were cooked and the mixture cooled, I bagged it up into several quart bags. I mixed up a regular biscuit recipe except added more milk for a looser (?) dough. I poured a bag of the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and then plopped the dough over all and baked in a 350 degree oven until browned. The dough thickens the broth/veggie mixture and the dish is wonderfully wholesome and filling. I've already taken a turkey pot pie to a pot luck dinner and made two for a large family who just moved into the area. I think I still have 3-4 bags left for meals throughout the next couple of months.

I still had about 1/2 a gallon sized bag of chopped turkey and half a gallon of turkey broth. Racking my brain for ideas, I decided to make a turkey tetrazini. Now this is something that most of my family would turn their noses up at, and I have to admit only having this dish in the school cafeteria. It thought I could make it much better, though!! Again, I sauteed an onion and some garlic in olive oil. In another pot I cooked up a pound of spaghetti. After the onions and garlic were slightly browned I added some dehydrated mushrooms and dried chives. Then I poured in the broth. After the broth was heated thoroughly I scooped out two cups and mixed it with a cup of flour. After it was mixed well I added it back to the big pot. Now I had a lovely mushroom soup-y mixture. I poured the water off the spaghetti and mixed the ingredients from the two pots. The chopped turkey was added in and stirred thoroughly. I set it aside to cool. After the mixture was cooled I mixed in a cup of freshly grated parmesan and about 3 cups of freshly grated mozzarella cheese. Stirred this up well and then bagged it up in two gallon sized baggies and filled a pie plate to add to the other leftovers for our evening meal. I overheard one of the older boys tell his father that it was really good!!

The other day I cooked a large roast for dinner. We love roast around here, but maybe not quite so much the next day. I took out my trusty iron skillet and coated it with olive oil. I diced up a sweet onion and sliced about three large potatoes. These were browned and cooked until just tender. Then I took the leftover roast with its juices, carrots, onions and potatoes and poured it in the skillet as well. This was heated through and served as beef hash! Yummy!!

Another way I use up leftovers is to freeze leftover vegetables, sauces, pasta and chopped meats in a large freezer container. When the container is full I make soup by adding a couple of jars of tomato juice or sauce and maybe some extra potatoes, onions (dried onions work well), carrots and seasonings. We usually get a huge batch of soup doing this and then I am able to freeze the soup as well.

I hope this will give you some ideas for turning those leftovers into do-overs! What are some ways that you already use leftovers in your home? I'd love to hear!

gnowfglins.com

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Menu Plan for December 5-11

2011-12-05T15:39:00.000-06:00

I finally came up with a menu plan for this week. I don't know why I was having a hard time getting motivated. We will just "wing it" with breakfasts and lunches....lots of granola, yogurt, biscuits in the freezer, and eggs. Lunches will most likely be leftovers.

Monday-baked potatoes, beef/lentil chile and salad

Tuesday-baked chicken, lentil rice casserole, salad, bread (I'll be baking three of our roosters in the big roaster and freezing the meat from two of them....then I'll put all the carcasses back in the roaster with water and veggies to make a big batch of broth to can on Wednesday)

Wednesday-pinto beans with chopped onions, grated cheese, corn muffins and salad (I'll be cooking up a huge batch of pinto beans using our Thanksgiving hambone for flavoring. I'll can beans on Thursday)

Thursday-pork stir fry, rice, egg rolls, egg drop soup

Friday-turkey pot pie, English peas, salad and dessert

Saturday-grilled bbq ribs, roasted potatoes and onions, green beans, creamed corn and squash casserole

Sunday-either with grandmother or small group

Things Are Hoppin' on the Homestead

2011-12-05T09:36:00.002-06:00

Starting off a busy week this morning. Awoke this morning to the sound of the chickens going crazy. Jeff went out to check on them and both doors were wide open. Apparently a child left them open late yesterday afternoon. Nothing seemed to be remiss, so Jeff just shut the doors back up. The coop has outside doors and an inside door to where the chickens actually are kept, so they can't get out.

Saturday Jordan took our seven roosters to be slaughtered, so they are now snug in the freezer along with Mr. Hog who met his fate a couple of weeks ago. They will be joined by a 1/4 beef later this week! Ahh....lovin' that, but for some reason I am having trouble getting inspired to write a menu for this week.

We (umm, I mean the children) are gathering about 20 eggs per day. And no, we don't use that many, but I am able to trade for fresh milk. This morning I've got two quarts of yogurt in the dehydrator and I've been making butter as well. I'm not getting as much milk as I was earlier in the year, but right now that's about all I can handle. I'll make more yogurt this week and then make yogurt cheese! Yummy! It's great with lots of added herbs for a cracker or bread spread.

This morning it's warm and overcast and rain is predicted for the next three days. Jordan, Kaelan and I went out to the garden to gather lettuce, spinach and turnip greens for some meals this week. I noticed the chives I cut down to the ground just a few weeks ago can stand another good trim. I am enjoying added dried chives to several recipes. I'll use some in the yogurt cheese spread.

Inside, today we will be baking bread, practicing piano and violin, doing some school work, wrapping presents, cleaning and Jeff will be grouting the tile in the back entryway. Hopefully in the next few weeks we can get the kitchen painted and tiled as well!

Yesterday, I tried dehydrating some frozen figs. That didn't do too well. I'm sure it would have worked with fresh figs much better. Does anyone have any idea about what I can do with three gallons of frozen figs? We don't really care for fig preserves, though. I hate to give them to the chickens, but with beef coming in this week, freezer space is needed.

Update: My mom is getting the figs. She has two lovely old fig trees in her backyard (which was my mamaw's backyard when I was growing up) and makes fig preserves every year. She sent all her preserves home with my brother to Africa, so she will replenish her supply with these.

homesteadrevival.blogspot.com

Toe-Stepping

2011-12-01T09:58:00.000-06:00

I am reading through the book of Romans very slowly these days and Paul, the author of the book of Romans, is stepping on my toes. In Romans 12 Paul give a list of sorts of what behaviors typify a Christian. I fall short in so many areas. I am exceedingly grateful that Jesus' blood covers all my failings, aren't you? However, that doesn't mean that we can't do better and with God's help...all things ARE possible.

Here's my checklist version:

1. Let love be without hypocrisy.
2. Abhor what is evil.
3. Cling to what is good.
4. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love.
5. Give preference to others.
6. Don't lag in diligence.
7. Be fervent in spirit and serve the Lord.
8. Rejoice in hope.
9. Be patient in tribulations.
10. Be steadfast in prayer.
11. Distribute to the needs of the saints.
12. Practice hospitality.
13. Bless those who persecute you.
14. Rejoice with those who rejoice.
15. Weep with those who weep.
16. Associate with the humble and do not think yourself wise.
17. Don't repay evil for evil.
18. Live at peace with all men as much as you can.
19. Do not avenge yourself.
20. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

You all know how I love lists and love to check off the items that I accomplish. This list, however, will take a lifetime to complete. Again, I am so thankful that Jesus' love has covered me with His cloak of righteousness. His love never fails...even when we do!

Stressed, Overwhelmed and Taking Stock

2011-11-29T08:39:00.000-06:00

I am feeling slightly stressed and overwhelmed these days. So much to take care of on a daily basis. One son finishing up a couple of required courses to complete his official homeschooling days, another one who is taking matters into his own hands and working ahead without me (which is a good thing...just means I need to re-evaluate some of our homeschooling methods and order some curriculum to fit the needs of my highly independent learner), another child who would just spend the day reading and is having a hard time stepping over the threshold from childhood to young adulthood. There is another who due to speech delays is now having some reading delays. I see progress, but we need to be more consistent in working together. And then we have a three year old who thinks he is just as old as everybody else and must have planned activity to keep him occupied and to keep me sane. I'm in a time crunch (self-imposed) to finish up math courses and history so that we are ready to start new math levels after the holidays and start a new history curriculum as well.

Add the school concerns with the medical needs, special foods due to allergies (I think I will have to take the ENTIRE family off of wheat due to Caedmon's severe wheat allergies...the last few times I have ground wheat he seemed to have a slight reaction), Jeff's and the children's musical activities outside the home (me? Yes, I dropped my outside musical activities years ago and now am satisfied with daily singing with the little guys and occasionally sitting down to play for a time at the piano), extra church meetings, remodeling projects and my normal food prep, cooking, cleaning and now the Christmas shopping to do as well...I find myself having to drop projects that I have planned in order to meet the needs of the family. Isn't that what Moms do?

Lots of toys, books, kitchenware and clothes will be donated to others instead of that yard sale I had been planning. The Christmas decorating may be taken down a notch as most of the family has been too busy to help with it. I will drop much of our school plans and focus on finishing up history and math with the older ones and spend more time working on the reading with the younger one. We'll finish up that missionary biography and try to read a Lamplighter book or two this season. More planned activities for the three year old will be necessary, though.

Hoping I can convince the children that we don't need all those Christmas food treats....maybe everyone can pick ONE recipe that they would love to have. Ha!! That still gives us EIGHT treats. I'm sure my girls will come up with about that many between the two of them...they both love to bake!

Past time to get the ball rolling on this day. Some laundry to take care of in my freshly tiled laundry area, a kitchen to clean, some organizing to do, some school work to do and piano lessons and shopping this afternoon....which will be much easier to do in our new-to- us Yukon XL!! Shopping in bulk at Sam's while joined by many children in a pickup truck doesn't work too well in the rain. The rain won't stop my shopping days now!

It's Monday!!

2011-11-28T07:07:00.002-06:00

Snow and ice? Wow!! Predictions this morning are for up to 2-3 inches of snow accumulation for tomorrow morning. It's still November, right? Last Christmas we woke up to a deep blanket of snow which is very unusual for us in Mississippi, but this early would be even more unusual. Lettuce, turnip greens, cabbage, brussel sprouts and spinach are all growing in our garden. Should we cover them? I think Jordan will be doing some research this morning. The chicken coop has some light that can keep things warmed up for them, but with 26 hens I don't imagine they will have any problem keeping warm and cozy. The roosters, housed in one of the chicken tractors until we can get them slaughtered may need more attention, though.

Thankfully, due to our keeping our own "store" there will not be any mad rush to purchase grocery or other items to make it through the storm. We are really enjoying having foods and toiletries in stock and adding to our stock each month. This weekend I also made up about 15 meals for the freezer, so not only are we prepared for ourselves, but I will be able to share a homemade meal with a family who just moved into this area and will be able to share some staple items from our own store with some friends who are having a financially tough time right now. What a blessing!

Our chickens are now giving us around 120 eggs per week! Another wonderful blessing! And we are sharing with others as well as having plenty of eggs for all of our holiday baking. As I mentioned before, I would love for you to share some of your favorite EGG-Y recipes in the comments.

After 4+ years of driving to church, the homes of extended family and vacations in two cars, I can happily report that we now have a vehicle that we can all ride in! I am such a tightwad that everytime Jeff would discuss getting a Suburban or large van I would hem and haw about it. I would much rather spend money elsewhere! But with Caedmon's recent anaphylactic reaction and the mad rush to the hospital we realized that it would be foolish for me not to have a vehicle available at all times. There were at least two days a week that I was home with no vehicle. Now, we have a new-to-us Yukon XL that all 8 of us can ride in. No more taking two vehicles to church and small group or even to grandma's house. We are looking forward to being together more, listening to books on CD as a family or even reading out loud in our confined surroundings. That is one thing I have really missed about having a family vehicle!

We are finishing up the Christmas decorating this morning while Jeff is home laying tile in our back entryway. We hope to get the kitchen painted with new lighting and flooring before the new year as well. And perhaps we'll even get some school work done!

I still have to process the fat from our hog and hopefully turn it into usuable lard for baking and soapmaking. I have some cabbage fermenting in a 6 gallon crock, but really have no idea what I am doing!! Share with me please, if you have successfully made saurkraut the old-fashioned way!

And we missed the start of Advent last night due to being out later than intended so we will double up tonight to make up. Does your family celebrate Advent? It's been a wonderful part of our celebrating Christ's birth for the past 17 years and makes Christmas so much more meaningful than focusing on Santa Claus and gift giving. I shared a little bit about Advent in October in this post.

Our family has been praying for little Noah Estes, four year old son of Jeff and Kate Estes for a while now. Noah has mitochondrial disease and is struggling right now. Here is a link to Kate's latest post. Please add this sweet family to your prayers. I cannot imagine the emotions the family is going through right now.

Now, it's time to get things rolling around here. Some of the older kids have slept in thirty minutes, so I may need to get the whip cracking...LOL!! And some of my older children were up before dawn. Time to get breakfast going and face the busyness of the day. Hope you all have a blessed Monday!

homesteadblessings.blogspot.com