Honey Happenings

This post is a few weeks behind but was such a exciting event we just couldn't pass it up.

James started his two bee hives this spring. He was told he wouldn't get any honey this year. He purchased his first set of bees but unfortunately the queen didn't survive and the hive was dying. He then was able to get a swarm from another local bee keeper and added that to his first hive.

He then ended up getting another swarm and starting a second hive but that one didn't really start doing well until late summer.

His first hive has flourished. It has grown stronger and stronger and he was actually able to get almost an entire super of honey off it at the end of summer. Praise God.

Even after he got the super of honey he didn't have anyway to extract it. Then again, he was blessed and was able to purchase this honey extractor for an amazing price from a man who has also proven himself invaluable in giving advice as well. The honey extractor was even delivered near our home as he was vactioning near our home and brought it with him. Praise God again.

This is a picture of one of his fully drawn and capped honey frames.

This is the cappings getting scrapped off in to a wax melter tank that he was also able to purchase from the same man for an incredible price.

(He is using a precision scrapper, called a kitchen fork :-) because we haven't anything else to decap the honey with yet.)

This is a frame after being decapped and it is ready to go in the honey extractor.

I failed to get pics of the extractor working or the kids taking turns sitting on the base to keep the extractor from walking/wiggling away, but it was sure cute.

And this is the honey he got from the hive that shouldn't have given him any, that almost didn't make it, with equipment he didn't have until he needed it. And we are living in the land flowing with "milk and honey". Praise the Lord.

:-)

Sand and Stone

Author Unknown.
A story tells that two friends were walking through
the desert. During some point of the journey, they
had an argument, and one friend slapped the other
one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt,
but without saying anything, he wrote in the sand:

Today my best friend slapped me in the face.

They kept on walking, until they found an oasis,
where they decided to take a bath. The one who had
been slapped got stuck in the mire and started
drowning, but his friend saved him. After he
recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

Today my best friend saved my life.

The friend, who had slapped and saved his best
friend, asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in
the sand, and now, you write on a stone, why?
"The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us,
we should write it down in sand, where the winds of
forgiveness can erase it away, but when someone
does something good for us, we must engrave it in
stone where no wind can ever erase it.

Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve
your blessings in stone.-- Unknown

Saying goodbye to a homeschool hero

A true hero for the homeschooling cause, as well as, a hero in the Christian community has passed. His name is Chris Klicka. Please take a moment to pray for his family as they grieve the loss of this great man. If you feel lead you can follow the link and read about his passing but bring your tissue as his wife tells about his final moments with them.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisklicka/journal

Carri

Another Yummy Recipe

TOFFEE COOKIES

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cover a rimmed cookie sheet with foil and oil foil. Line evenly with saltine crackers (roughly 45?). In a large saucepan, melt 1 cup butter and 1 cup brown sugar and bring to a boil (over medium heat). Boil for 3 minutes, (my gas stove only takes about 2 minutes - mixture will almost start to pull away from sides of pan) stirring constantly. Immediately pour mixture evenly over crackers. Put in oven for 5 minutes. Remove, tap down floating crackers and immediately sprinkle a bag (or 2 cups) of chocolate chips over top, let melt and then spread across top. You can also sprinkle chopped walnuts on top if you like. Chill to let it set up. Cut up however you wish, or break into pieces.

These cookies are amazing. The children and I were able to whip these up in just a few minutes and they are soooooo good. I lost the link to the blog were I got it but if I come up with it I will post that as well.

Blessings,

Carri

A Housewife’s Love Chapter – 1 Corinthians 13

If I keep my house immaculately clean, and am envied by all for my interior decorating, but do not show love in my family – I am just another housewife.

If I'm always producing lovely things – sewing, art; if I always look attractive, and speak intelligently, but am not loving to my family – I am nothing.

If I'm busy in community affairs, teach Sunday School, drive the carpool, but fail to give adequate love to my family – I gain nothing.

Love changes diapers, cleans up messes, and ties shoes – over and over again.

Love is kind, though tired and frazzled.

Love doesn't envy another wife – one whose children are "spaced" better, or in school so she has time to pursue her own interests.

Love doesn't try to impress others with my abilities or knowledge as a mother.

Love doesn't scream at the kids.

Love doesn't feel cheated because I didn't get to do what I wanted to do today – sew, read, soak in a hot tub.

Love doesn't lose my temper easily.

Love doesn't assume that my children are being naughty just because their noise level is irritating.

Love doesn't rejoice when other people's children misbehave and make mine look good.

Love is genuinely happy when others are honored by their children.

May the Lord help us to love one another completely and self-lessly, as He has loved us first

As I read this today it brought me such conviction I just had to share it. This orginally came from "A Mother's Heart" by Jean Fleming then it was forwarded to a group I belong too.

Be Blessed,

Carri

Butternut Squash Soup

This soup was just yummy. We have a bunch of butternut squash from our garden and this is the first thing I tried to make with it and it was really good.




INGREDIENTS
6 tablespoons chopped onion
4 tablespoons margarine
6 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
3 cups water
4 cubes chicken bouillon
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large saucepan, saute onions in margarine until tender. Add squash, water, bouillon, marjoram, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Bring to boil; cook 20 minutes, or until squash is tender.
2. Puree squash and cream cheese in a blender or food processor in batches until smooth. Return to saucepan, and heat through. Do not allow to boil.



Of course we doubled the recipe. Seriously, my husband hates most soups and he even had some leftovers of this for lunch today.

Blessings,

Carri

Just one of the things I love about homeschooling

Today was one of those crazy, crazy mornings. As I worked with Bethany on her reading, she was struggling with the /i/ sound. We had to work and work on it. Meanwhile, Madison who can sometimes struggle with perfectionism was upset over her inability to do long multiplication. She just started that today, with Math-U-See but she didn't understand the lesson. Jedidiah is loud as he is cutting many teeth, which means even when he is happy he is loud. I notice his diaper needs changed and he is on his way to the pantry to put my car keys in the 50 lb bag of flour. (Boy am I glad I caught that before he was succesful). I am in the process of making bread because we are completely out and it has to get done today.

During the midst of this I know that my daughters need me. They need me to teach them. Madison is upset because she needs help and she is independent. Bethany is upset because she is five and cute and used to things being easy. This isn't easy so she is frustrated. I explain to Madison that this is my job. I am the teacher and I am here to help her whenever she is stuck. Her tears cleared up, I asked her to give me a few minutes to get the other situations under control and then I would give her my undivided attention. She said okay but I could tell she wasn't happy to have to wait. I explained to her that I could keep working with her, while her brother was troubled over his diaper, Bethany was asking for help repeatedly, the bread was making noise in the mixer and Eliora needed direction to keep her busy, or she could give me a few minutes while she worked on something different and I would help her momentarily. She smiled and said she would wait.

I addressed all the pressing concerns. Madison and I spent time on her Math. She got it!!! And I got to teach her patience, love, prioritizing, Math, and that we aren't always perfect all the time.

What I got in return was to, grow in my patience, to once again be reminded that stressful times will pass, to learn to lean on my savior even more, see my daughter grow, get her new math concept and a note to the teacher.

Thank you very much for helping me get a better grade,


Yours truly,


-Madison-

I feel like the most blessed woman on earth sometimes. And this is just one thing I love about my life and homeschooling.

Starting School

Eliora, her job in school is to keep me on my toes. She loves to color when Bethany is schooling. She calls it her math.

Tyler is in 5th this year and very excited that they are learning Latin and Spanish. This is our first year using Rosetta Stone for Spanish. Tyler and Madison are truly enjoying it. I have done a little myself and it is fun. We are using a "Latin isn't so tough" as a curriculum for Latin and that has been interesting too.

Bethany is working on her reading, math and handwriting. She can read lots of three letter words and is amazing at math.

Madison loves all the new books to read for the year. She is excited about school, but she worries about not getting everything just right.

Bill has grown so much in his reading, spelling and reasoning abilities. He has started Alpha Omega Science and History, plus his phonics work, reading, etc. and has lots of school work but he is doing well.

Jed's is majoring in distracting everyone. He is running around making everyone laugh and lightens our heavy school load.

I had to take a pic of my desk. It hasn't been this clean in awhile. Of course who knows how long it will stay this way.

The berry last day of summer vacation

One funny guy

This is our rooster. He is one funny guy. I guess anybody would be who had to spend his whole day with 19 women and three ducks. We aren't sure if the ducks are girls or boys.

He absolutely hates it when the kids catch him. He hangs his head in shame. We were told that we have to watch out for him as he might hurt us, but honestly so far he is a big wimp. He is the most afraid of all the chickens.

And would you look at those eyebrows.

Other news around here is that we are getting ready to start school. First day of school is Monday. I will try to post our school pics in the next few days.

James is busy with work. Bill has started soccer. Awana's starts next Thursday and Bethany is going to try to go this year. Eliora opted out. Baby is growing and growing.

Cute faces

Sorry it has been so long since I posted.

Everybody here is doing good. We went to the midwife on Tuesday and baby is great.

Many changes are happening here that maybe we can share in a little while.

I will get some pics of the goats up in the next few days.

Tyler's 2nd Egg and Winter in July

Tyler has been begging me to post a picture of him with an egg. He would run to the coop everytime he heard squawking until he came up with an egg. Unfortunately, I was unable to take his pic with number one so here we are with number two.

How else should you dress when it is 75 degrees at 8:00 am? Ever seen such cute, confused outfits?

Blessings,

Carri

The big, black bear in our backyard

Thought it was about time we showed how much Ellie has grown.

She is about nine months old now, and is going to 4H Obedience Training. And boy, does she need it.

Isn't Madison beautiful? Even when she is really mad at her brother's poor picture taking abilities.

Fun things and not so fun things

So egg number two arrived today. Unfortunately it wasn't quite done cooking. Maddie asked me to post it here. I asked her if she wanted to keep it to show to Dad. She said "NOOO! it is gross!"




It just doesn't get better than being the youngest of many (well sometimes atleast). His brothers and sisters come up all kinds of fun games to keep him entertained.

He started by just wanting to be pushed around the house on the office chair. Next thing you know he is outfitted with a chair rocket and three people to take him where ever he wants to go.

He was strapped in with scarves, given a pillow and even rolled over to his sippy cup whenever he needed a drink.

New ducks, do's and doings

Guess what Madison found in the chicken coop today????!!????

Yep, That right our first egg. We are all so excited. Just yesterday the children added new straw to the coop plus four golf balls in the nesting boxes and today we have our first egg. Madison was very brave and reached her hand right under the biggest hen and plucked the egg out.

Yesterday we got a new addtion to the farm. A friend gave him to us and now we are duck farmers too. We are currently calling it Apollo (the name our friends gave to it).

A few days ago we did hair cuts and Jedi's is just sooooooooooo cute I wanted to share it. He went from looking like a baby to a toddler. He also looks alot like our friends son did when he was the same age. She has given us a bunch of his clothes as well. It is a little like mini me.

Blessings,

Carri

Pics and posts

We have been really busy around here.

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera for half of the things we have had going on.

I did however get some good ones of our camping trip. We had an absolute blast. We were blessed with a camping spot right on the lake and the kids spent two solid days in the water from sun up to sun down. A couple of our nonswimmers are now SWIMMERS. YEAH!!! It was such a relaxing time.

The only drawback was that the camping spot were really close to one another and that can be a little taxing with so many children, but when we were leaving the people next to us came over to complement us on the children and how well the behaved. Good Job, Kiddos!!!!

Notice the duck around Bill's waist.

He was duckless by the end of the weekend.

Classic Bethany face

We went to the carnival, but the battery was dead on the camera, and had a couple families over for the fourth, but I forgot to get the camera out. Fire works were great even though we had to watch them from the side of the road as we left the house too late to make it to our intended spot.

I am slowly beginning the plan for school next year.

And as much as I can't believe how fast it has gone by our little rooster is now crowing all the time.

Blessings,

Carri

Off to camping

Today we are off to our first camping trip of the year. The children are all excited.

We had a hard time deciding where to go as I am still struggling with the bear issue after last year but also don't want to go where it is to0 hot.

My poor hubby is trying hard to be patient with me.

I will post some pics when we get home if I remember the camera.

Have a great weekend,

Carri

Father's Day

Around our house it should actually be called Superman Day.

My husband is the sweetest dad I know. He decided to spend his Father's Day doing things like, playing toss-across with the children, taking lunch to my stepdad, lunch at Sonic (yummy), playing at the park with all of us, tractor rides with the little ones and big ones,

(This pic is from the other day but I was cameraless this weekend)

and now he is out in the backyard with the children again.

He could have been watching sports,

sleeping, whatever he wanted and he chose us, over and over again.

My hubby is the best.

Love ya Hon,

Carri

Be Blessed

Weaning

As Jed is weaning himself with a little help from mom I can’t help but notice the similarities between us being weaned from something by the Lord and babies weaning.

Jed is ready in many ways to move on to other things for comfort and sustenance but he clings to the habit of nursing. Sometimes out of habit, sometimes because it brings him comfort and sometimes out of just sure stubbornness. Sound familiar? It sure does to me.

I can’t tell you the number of things I have known it was time to give up and just won’t do it. Maybe it is a friendship, maybe a habit, maybe a material item or way of thinking but I just don’t want to let go. Sometimes it is plain and simply because I don’t want to, other times it is because I don’t see the big picture and don’t realize things will be better if I let go.

As my pregnancy grows and things change he dislikes nursing more and more but is still afraid to let go completely. He is learning to take comfort in just being held, in quieting himself in my arms at night, but it is hard.

Today, let me let go of some things it is time for me to be weaned from. Let me trust the Lord that He knows what is best and I will benefit from letting go.

Psalm 131:2 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Blessings,

Carri

Just getting started

We am finding it harder and harder to keep family and friends up-to-date on all the goings on around here. And with all our adventures there is lots going on, so we are going to try to use this blog to share photos and fun as our family grows and changes.

We are trying our hand at homesteading to see where it takes us. We don't want to "buy the farm" until we decide if we like that kind of lifestyle, so right now we are playing at it. We have 21 chickens just added this spring. Two beehives also added this spring. Two cats, one old and one new, two dogs, one old and one new, two fish hanging around and two baby goats coming in a few weeks. For those of you who don't all ready know this about us, we love to just jump right in then sink or swim.

We tried our hand at a cow, but she was a little too mean for us and we are prayerfully considering trying again come fall.

No promises on daily posts but we will do our best to keep this up.

Blessings to all,

Carri