It is the last day of November, and I think winter has finally arrived to the UP. We've had snow pretty steadily all day, and there is snow in the forecast for the rest of the week. (Over the summer we asked a neighbor if it snows every day in the winter. "Oh, no,not every day," he answered, "just six or seven days a week.") It is so exciting for us! Over Thanksgiving weekend two years ago we were still wearing t-shirts!
We woke up to temps in the lower teens this morning, and it wasn't too cold inside even though the fire had gone out. I am thankful that we have wood heat (and lots of dried fire wood!) because that means we can stay cozy no matter what happens to the electricity.
God bless!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Back, thank God!
I'm always amazed at how much gets done around here whenever I am, for any reason, forced away from the computer. It is almost a shame the thing got fixed... almost.
The wiring for our well was fixed yesterday. One thing I noticed while our water was out is how very wasteful a toilet is. We had to pour four gallons of drinkable water into the tank to get it to flush just once. Four gallons! That's at least a day's worth of drinking water for our whole family, just to wash away you-know-what. Who decided that was a good idea?
We've still had unseasonably warm weather, but it will soon come to an end. We had flurries on Monday that had melted off by this morning. Or was that snow showers? I still haven't figured out the difference between snow showers and snow flurries, although they are both mentioned seperately in the weather report. Maybe I'll find out soon since more snow is moving in over the next few days.
Stay warm, and God bless!
The wiring for our well was fixed yesterday. One thing I noticed while our water was out is how very wasteful a toilet is. We had to pour four gallons of drinkable water into the tank to get it to flush just once. Four gallons! That's at least a day's worth of drinking water for our whole family, just to wash away you-know-what. Who decided that was a good idea?
We've still had unseasonably warm weather, but it will soon come to an end. We had flurries on Monday that had melted off by this morning. Or was that snow showers? I still haven't figured out the difference between snow showers and snow flurries, although they are both mentioned seperately in the weather report. Maybe I'll find out soon since more snow is moving in over the next few days.
Stay warm, and God bless!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Water
Something shorted out in the well today and we've been without running water for a few hours. A few long hours! Hopefully we'll be able to get it back up and running tomorrow after a visit to the hardware store. In the meantime one of our friends drove over to bring seven gallons of drinking water and see if he might be able to help.
Running water would be considered quite the extraordinary luxury by most of the world, even today. Many people must go to great trouble to bring home water we probably wouldn't even consider drinkable! Meanwhile we can blissfully assume that clean (even hot) water will instantly appear with the turn of a faucet at any time we need or want it. Going without running water is just a small glimpse of what everyday life is like for most of the world's population. However, a big difference is that they were prepared, and I wasn't!
From now on, running water will definitely be on my list of things to be grateful for. And having none will be on my list of things to prepare for!
God bless!
Running water would be considered quite the extraordinary luxury by most of the world, even today. Many people must go to great trouble to bring home water we probably wouldn't even consider drinkable! Meanwhile we can blissfully assume that clean (even hot) water will instantly appear with the turn of a faucet at any time we need or want it. Going without running water is just a small glimpse of what everyday life is like for most of the world's population. However, a big difference is that they were prepared, and I wasn't!
From now on, running water will definitely be on my list of things to be grateful for. And having none will be on my list of things to prepare for!
God bless!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Leftovers
I'm no "freezer queen" by any stretch of the imagination, and yet there is something extremely satisfying in creating new meals out of food that otherwise might get fed to the dog or (gasp!) thrown away.
Turkey Leftovers Rule #1 is never, never throw away the bones! If you do you are throwing away valuable nutrition. Pick all the meat you can off of them (what to do with the meat will follow), put them in a big stock pot, and cover them with water. Add a dash of something acidic- vinegar will work, but I use EM's for added benefit. The acidity helps leach the minerals out of the bones. Bring this to a boil, skim off the foam, and then turn the stove down as low as you can without turning it off. The stock should be just barely and gently bubbling. Let this stay on the stove for at least a couple hours and up to a day or two. Really, the longer the better. You will then want to strain it into another pot. Let the stock cool before putting it in the fridge. After it has been in the fridge long enough to get cold take it out to remove the fat. The fat forms on the top, and your broth will hopefully resemble jello.
You have now made three products out of those bones. First, is the stock which is much better and more healthful than Campbell's. Second is the fat which you can use to make turkey gravy. Melt the fat in a saucepan and mix in an approximately equal amount of flour. Heat this up until it starts to bubble and then pour in stock, or if you want a creamy gravy use milk. The amount of liquid you use will depend on how much stock and flour you had, but generally 3 Tbsp fat and 3 Tbsp flour will thicken 1 Cup of liquid. Whether you use stock or milk it is extremely important to stir the whole time! When it starts to bubble it is as thick as it gets. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sage. The third product is the bones themselves which will probably be extremely soft. These bones can be mashed and fed to your cats and/or dogs, or at least composted into the garden. Turkey Leftovers Rule #1 still applies!
Here is something I invented a few years that I call "Leftovers Casserole". Like many families, mine has come to love and expect the Green Bean Casserole so cleverly marketed as a traditional Thanksgiving dish (although I don't remember ever seeing it until a few years ago). If you have leftover green beans, mix in turkey and the fried onions that were on top. You could top this with more fried onion, but I top it with leftover stuffing. Heat in the oven until hot.
Another good turkey casserole is a recipe that I got from a book Eat Well for $50 a Week and improved, if I say so myself. I'll give you my version. It is a casserole in four layers, first stuffing pressed in on the bottom, then pieces of turkey, then broccoli, then a cheese sauce. I prefer to make my own cheese sauce, but you could also use melted velveeta if you must. Just be sure to grease the casserole dish well or you'll never be able to lift it out.
Other options for leftover turkey are soups, stir fry, creamy salad and sandwiches. Personally I love a turkey sandwich with honey mustard and pickles on homemade bread! Yum!
In my oven right now I have the leftovers casserole and a sweet potato something that I just invented. I whipped three eggs with some milk and honey (I love cooking without measuring- it's so adventurous!), then mixed in my leftover sweet potatoes with some pecans. I sprinkled cinnamon over the top. It's in the oven right now, so I'll have to let you know how that turns out.
Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless!
Turkey Leftovers Rule #1 is never, never throw away the bones! If you do you are throwing away valuable nutrition. Pick all the meat you can off of them (what to do with the meat will follow), put them in a big stock pot, and cover them with water. Add a dash of something acidic- vinegar will work, but I use EM's for added benefit. The acidity helps leach the minerals out of the bones. Bring this to a boil, skim off the foam, and then turn the stove down as low as you can without turning it off. The stock should be just barely and gently bubbling. Let this stay on the stove for at least a couple hours and up to a day or two. Really, the longer the better. You will then want to strain it into another pot. Let the stock cool before putting it in the fridge. After it has been in the fridge long enough to get cold take it out to remove the fat. The fat forms on the top, and your broth will hopefully resemble jello.
You have now made three products out of those bones. First, is the stock which is much better and more healthful than Campbell's. Second is the fat which you can use to make turkey gravy. Melt the fat in a saucepan and mix in an approximately equal amount of flour. Heat this up until it starts to bubble and then pour in stock, or if you want a creamy gravy use milk. The amount of liquid you use will depend on how much stock and flour you had, but generally 3 Tbsp fat and 3 Tbsp flour will thicken 1 Cup of liquid. Whether you use stock or milk it is extremely important to stir the whole time! When it starts to bubble it is as thick as it gets. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sage. The third product is the bones themselves which will probably be extremely soft. These bones can be mashed and fed to your cats and/or dogs, or at least composted into the garden. Turkey Leftovers Rule #1 still applies!
Here is something I invented a few years that I call "Leftovers Casserole". Like many families, mine has come to love and expect the Green Bean Casserole so cleverly marketed as a traditional Thanksgiving dish (although I don't remember ever seeing it until a few years ago). If you have leftover green beans, mix in turkey and the fried onions that were on top. You could top this with more fried onion, but I top it with leftover stuffing. Heat in the oven until hot.
Another good turkey casserole is a recipe that I got from a book Eat Well for $50 a Week and improved, if I say so myself. I'll give you my version. It is a casserole in four layers, first stuffing pressed in on the bottom, then pieces of turkey, then broccoli, then a cheese sauce. I prefer to make my own cheese sauce, but you could also use melted velveeta if you must. Just be sure to grease the casserole dish well or you'll never be able to lift it out.
Other options for leftover turkey are soups, stir fry, creamy salad and sandwiches. Personally I love a turkey sandwich with honey mustard and pickles on homemade bread! Yum!
In my oven right now I have the leftovers casserole and a sweet potato something that I just invented. I whipped three eggs with some milk and honey (I love cooking without measuring- it's so adventurous!), then mixed in my leftover sweet potatoes with some pecans. I sprinkled cinnamon over the top. It's in the oven right now, so I'll have to let you know how that turns out.
Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Computer Complaints and Giving Thanks
It pains me to share the news that our computer is sick. In fact, I'm afraid it might be 'terminal'. (Sorry, I truly couldn't resist!) The poor thing won't even turn on; it only beeps out an SOS signal in a half-hearted way as if it knows in the depths of its circuitry just how ignorant about computers I am and therefore how desperate its own situation is. Fortunately, Chuck and his laptop are home for the long holiday weekend.
Tomorrow is the day- the biggest cooking marathon of the year. Our kitchen is as ready as it could possibly be, considering the youth and reluctance of my clean-up crew. There is a huge turkey thawing in the sink. There are enough bread crumbs to stuff a pillow. I have purchased approximately five pounds of pecans and 10 pounds of sweet potatoes. All the recipes I shall need are filed neatly in my mind, and I have carefully planned the sequence of their execution. It will be messy, busy, exhausting, and at times chaotic with hungry kids and cats under my feet. I will have too many helpers and not enough patience. It will be the perfect opportunity to thank the Lord in all things.
Here's wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.
God bless!
Tomorrow is the day- the biggest cooking marathon of the year. Our kitchen is as ready as it could possibly be, considering the youth and reluctance of my clean-up crew. There is a huge turkey thawing in the sink. There are enough bread crumbs to stuff a pillow. I have purchased approximately five pounds of pecans and 10 pounds of sweet potatoes. All the recipes I shall need are filed neatly in my mind, and I have carefully planned the sequence of their execution. It will be messy, busy, exhausting, and at times chaotic with hungry kids and cats under my feet. I will have too many helpers and not enough patience. It will be the perfect opportunity to thank the Lord in all things.
Here's wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.
God bless!
Friday, November 17, 2006
Have Nice Baby's in Dinotopia!!!!!
A friend of ours loaned us several of the Dinotopia books. The stories are good, but the fascinating details of the Dinotopia world are brought alive in the beautiful paintings of James Gurney. It is just what Raechel needed to add fresh life to her long-standing fascination with dinosaurs (and monsters).
This picture, executed in crayon and ball point pen, graced the inside of my birthday card on Sunday.
The caption reads, "Have nice baby's in Dinotopia!!!!!" It was inspired, no doubt, by one illustration in the first book that showed a "Nanny" dinosaur holding two little babies resting in side-saddles hanging from her back. As for the meaning of the cryptic message, I'm not sure. But it is interesting that she considers "have nice baby's" an appropriate birthday greeting for me.
God bless!
This picture, executed in crayon and ball point pen, graced the inside of my birthday card on Sunday.
The caption reads, "Have nice baby's in Dinotopia!!!!!" It was inspired, no doubt, by one illustration in the first book that showed a "Nanny" dinosaur holding two little babies resting in side-saddles hanging from her back. As for the meaning of the cryptic message, I'm not sure. But it is interesting that she considers "have nice baby's" an appropriate birthday greeting for me.
God bless!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
40 Acres and a Dog
The deal used to be 40 acres and a mule, but we got a dog. I guess that makes him the first of our homestead animals, a distinction he seems worthy of. His name is Snickers (despite Amanda's suggestion we change his name to Mule) and we're told he is part hound and part Alaskan husky. He is a medium-large dog, about 22 inches to the shoulder, and has a very friendly disposition. Best of all, he's used to living outside year round. Robert piled some good, clean straw in his dog house for bedding so he should be able to keep warm. His former owner said you could tell when spring was coming because Snickers would start kicking the straw out of his doghouse.Yesterday was the first day of deer season, and my neighbor has been very disappointed so far. Somebody up the road shot the one buck that had been seen in the area, but he didn't see one single deer. I could almost have gotten one on the way home from town today, but the deer's timing was better than my aim. Oh, well. A van full of kids is not the recommended hunting gear anyway.
I also had a lesson in the local lingo today. "Slickery." As in, "It's starting to sleet so you better head home before it gets slickery." I'm starting to think that Yoopers are just rednecks with frostbite.
God bless!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Now what are we going to do?
"Okay, Lord, we're here. Now what?"
We spent a lot of time in prayer and research before deciding to move. But following the UP's weather online and checking out books about livestock from the library is probably going to be inadequate preparation for the reality. That's okay; I'm steeling myself for the worst while hoping for the best.
But there are so many questions! How do I know what kind of animals we want to keep? Which chickens will be hardy and yet give good meat and eggs? Would we be able to get used to goat's milk if we decide a cow is too big an investment? If we try meat rabbits will the kids be willing to eat them? And I still haven't figured out where the garden will be much less what I might try to grow in it. We certainly have a lot to learn; it seems pitiful when I consider these are things that would have been second nature just two generations ago!
I remember back when I was a kid and Dad got a motorcycle. What a treat it was to go for a ride, clinging to Dad's back like a baby monkey! I didn't always know where we would go, although every once in a while he would ask whether I wanted to turn right or left. Occasionally the ride was too cold, or windy. Sometimes it was all too easy to imagine myself losing my hold on Dad and falling off, so I would hold on that much tighter. I didn't have to worry about the traffic, the weather, or keeping our balance. I just had to hold on tight to my Dad- let him worry about those things for me- and enjoy the ride.
God bless!
We spent a lot of time in prayer and research before deciding to move. But following the UP's weather online and checking out books about livestock from the library is probably going to be inadequate preparation for the reality. That's okay; I'm steeling myself for the worst while hoping for the best.
But there are so many questions! How do I know what kind of animals we want to keep? Which chickens will be hardy and yet give good meat and eggs? Would we be able to get used to goat's milk if we decide a cow is too big an investment? If we try meat rabbits will the kids be willing to eat them? And I still haven't figured out where the garden will be much less what I might try to grow in it. We certainly have a lot to learn; it seems pitiful when I consider these are things that would have been second nature just two generations ago!
I remember back when I was a kid and Dad got a motorcycle. What a treat it was to go for a ride, clinging to Dad's back like a baby monkey! I didn't always know where we would go, although every once in a while he would ask whether I wanted to turn right or left. Occasionally the ride was too cold, or windy. Sometimes it was all too easy to imagine myself losing my hold on Dad and falling off, so I would hold on that much tighter. I didn't have to worry about the traffic, the weather, or keeping our balance. I just had to hold on tight to my Dad- let him worry about those things for me- and enjoy the ride.
God bless!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
How did we get here?
We started our journey to the UP (that is, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) about five years ago, although we didn't have a clue at the time! The improbability of us landing here is surely proof that amazing things happen when you put your trust in God!
Back in 2000, we were living with our three kids just outside the stately city of Charleston, South Carolina. We were on our way; a beautiful townhouse, good schools, and plans for furnishing and "bettering" our lives. For the first time in our lives, we were able to buy our kids all the things they "needed". We could go out to eat whenever we wanted. We had some money in savings and were tithing... well, most weeks we were giving something to church anyway. We had come through a very rough patch and were pointing ourselves on the road to a bright future. Or were we? Chuck was traveling and therefore out of town for up to 55 out of every 60 days. He was literally risking his life, health, and safety with 100+ hour weeks and swing shifts. The kids missed him terribly when he was gone, and it made him miserable to return home and see how much the kids were growing, how very much he was missing out on.
We made a decision that was a major turning point in our lives. We decided that the nice townhouse, the cute little car, the nice clothes, even the money in the bank was not worth the toll it took on our time together. A job opened up in Alabama, and we moved. It meant a huge paycut (about 33%) but it also meant dinner as a family every night and Sunday Mass all together.
The transition wasn't easy. It felt like we were just coming up out of the poorhouse, and then choosing to jump right back in. But we knew it was best for us, for our family. Our time together is so short and much too precious to squander for any amount of overtime.
Slowly but surely our priorities changed. Millbrook was small enough to give us the feel of living "in the country" but big enough that we longed to really be in the country. I started desiring to declutter, not only our home, but our hearts. I shunned shopping and driving into town started to give me a creepy feeling. It is no coincidence that at this same time we began homeschooling, opening up even more time for us as a family and giving us more control over raising our children. Neither is it a coincidence that I began meeting friends online and in real life who shared the same vision and goals that were developing within us. We wanted so badly to committ ourselves to a completely Christian life; to embrace Lady Poverty and put ourselves and our children on the path to simplicity and holiness.
God is good! We put all our trust in Him, and He is certainly carrying us on His shoulders. Six months ago we were living in a trailer park in Alabama with almost no savings and barely enough income to last until the next paycheck. Now we are living in a 4-bedroom house on our own 40 acres!
The only downside is that Chuck must travel for work. We have come full circle with that; I think his previous years on the road were a preparation for this. We knew what it was like back then, but so far it is completely different this time. I think the difference lies in the fact that our focus has changed. Our goal is not to make as much money as possible; rather our goal is to get to where we don't need as much. When Chuck is gone, we both have our work to do. When he is home, he isn't as much consumed by the job; he can focus his energies on being here with us until he must leave again. But we sincerely hope that God will lead us to a way to someday keep him home for good.
For more about the Community of the Holy Family, and the Home n'Stead mission, please visit their homepage.
God bless!
Back in 2000, we were living with our three kids just outside the stately city of Charleston, South Carolina. We were on our way; a beautiful townhouse, good schools, and plans for furnishing and "bettering" our lives. For the first time in our lives, we were able to buy our kids all the things they "needed". We could go out to eat whenever we wanted. We had some money in savings and were tithing... well, most weeks we were giving something to church anyway. We had come through a very rough patch and were pointing ourselves on the road to a bright future. Or were we? Chuck was traveling and therefore out of town for up to 55 out of every 60 days. He was literally risking his life, health, and safety with 100+ hour weeks and swing shifts. The kids missed him terribly when he was gone, and it made him miserable to return home and see how much the kids were growing, how very much he was missing out on.
We made a decision that was a major turning point in our lives. We decided that the nice townhouse, the cute little car, the nice clothes, even the money in the bank was not worth the toll it took on our time together. A job opened up in Alabama, and we moved. It meant a huge paycut (about 33%) but it also meant dinner as a family every night and Sunday Mass all together.
The transition wasn't easy. It felt like we were just coming up out of the poorhouse, and then choosing to jump right back in. But we knew it was best for us, for our family. Our time together is so short and much too precious to squander for any amount of overtime.
Slowly but surely our priorities changed. Millbrook was small enough to give us the feel of living "in the country" but big enough that we longed to really be in the country. I started desiring to declutter, not only our home, but our hearts. I shunned shopping and driving into town started to give me a creepy feeling. It is no coincidence that at this same time we began homeschooling, opening up even more time for us as a family and giving us more control over raising our children. Neither is it a coincidence that I began meeting friends online and in real life who shared the same vision and goals that were developing within us. We wanted so badly to committ ourselves to a completely Christian life; to embrace Lady Poverty and put ourselves and our children on the path to simplicity and holiness.
God is good! We put all our trust in Him, and He is certainly carrying us on His shoulders. Six months ago we were living in a trailer park in Alabama with almost no savings and barely enough income to last until the next paycheck. Now we are living in a 4-bedroom house on our own 40 acres!
The only downside is that Chuck must travel for work. We have come full circle with that; I think his previous years on the road were a preparation for this. We knew what it was like back then, but so far it is completely different this time. I think the difference lies in the fact that our focus has changed. Our goal is not to make as much money as possible; rather our goal is to get to where we don't need as much. When Chuck is gone, we both have our work to do. When he is home, he isn't as much consumed by the job; he can focus his energies on being here with us until he must leave again. But we sincerely hope that God will lead us to a way to someday keep him home for good.
For more about the Community of the Holy Family, and the Home n'Stead mission, please visit their homepage.
God bless!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Launching St. Anthony's Acres!
This is to be my first adventure in blogging. I intend to use this space as a journal of our progress toward homesteading and simplifying, as well as a diary of the joys (and trials!) we will surely experience as part of this drastic change in our lifestyle. Hopefully this will allow my family and friends to know what is going on with us, up here in the northern wilderness of Michigan! I hope I will even meet some new friends.
God bless,
God bless,
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