Monday, August 31, 2009

Peach butter


Today I cleaned off my desk and all around it. I also cleaned the desk drawers. Then I cleaned the rest of the sun room. It looks so nice.

I worked up the 1/2 box of peaches I bought into peach butter. It looks good. I got 4 pints out of it. 1/2 box was 12.50 so that made the peach butter 3.13 a pint.



Sunday, August 30, 2009

More happy Joy pictures




The first picture is of her with her new glasses, then her check book, but look at her reaction to the new phone she knew nothing about. It was great.


Joy left to go back to college today. She has gotten an A or better on every paper so far. I am so proud of her. I am so thankful for this opportunity for her. God is so good. He is our refuge and our strength. Thank you God.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Ok now I can tell you




I have been keeping a secret for two whole weeks about Joy. I can tell you about it now. Joy came home from college for the weekend, she got here late last night. We gave her her new glasses, her new checkbook, a cell phone, and a net book. She was so excited. I had such a hard time keeping a secret. We took pictures of her excitement. It was so fun. Now she can stay connected while she is at school.




She said mom you haven't written very much about me and that is why, I was so worried I would spill the beans. You can be sure I have told a lot of folks, though. LOL

Friday, August 28, 2009

copy cat recipes


For lunch today I am making this. I got the recipe from Erin $800.00 annual food budget blog. I didn't have any grand biscuits so I made my own. They look Yum.

Busy weekend

We have a busy weekend planned.
  1. We are having a garage sale at 17th and May in Guymon, fri 5-? sat 8am -?
  2. Joy is coming home for the weekend, yippie
  3. Today is Hannah's 13th birthday.
  4. The sister of a friend passed and Mollie is providing child care during the funeral on saturday.
  5. Saturday is the farmers market where I sell my soap.
  6. Joy is coming home for the weekend. Whoo Hoo

Thursday, August 27, 2009

A funny on Mr. Olson

The other day Mr. Olson was installing a window air conditioner unit. They have places that need to be screwed in on the sides. He asked Mollie to go outside to hold it level while he screwed it in.
He went to get the screw gun and on his way he saw something that needed to be taken upstairs to our bedroom (he cant remember what it was).
Then when he got up to the bed room he thought it is so nice and cool in here and that bed looks so inviting.
I think I will lay down for just a minute.
A bit later after he had rested awhile he got up and went back downstairs.
Mollie said "Dad where did you go?" She had waited outside for quite a while.
Mr. Olson slapped his head and said "Oh I'm sorry Mollie" he had completely forgotten poor Mollie outside in the heat while he was resting in the cool bedroom.
Mr. Olson said lets try this again and sent Mollie outside while he went to get the screw gun. This time he got it and finished the job.
When he told me the story I laughed and laughed. I said I think you are getting old.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Yummy lentil tacos

I made yummy lentil tacos for supper tonight. Everyone liked them except Mollie because she doesn't like corn tortillas. I just rinsed the lentils and covered them with water. Add taco seasoning to taste and a can of tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and then simmer for an hour or until lentils are done. Lentils expand a lot so make sure you keep an eye on the water so they don't burn.
Cook your corn tortillas so they don't have that raw taste. Top with lentils, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and salsa. You can use any topping you want. The lentils are a good source of protein.
I figured the meal for all of us cost about $1.00. Not bad for 4 people.

I read somewhere you can cook the lentils the same way and add mustard, ketchup and Worcestershire or whatever you like to put in your sloppy joes. Top a bun and you're done.

ASL American Sign Language

The girls and I are studying ASL. I took it in college but it didn't stick because I didn't use it. Last year we tried to learn it and the girls did pretty good. This year I found a free online course here: http://www.start-american-sign-language.com/

It has a printable workbook and videos to watch every day. We already know the alphabet, a few signs and counting but it was hard to put together into sentences. This site starts out with sentences, albeit short ones that we can learn right away. The videos are looped and play over and over until you think you have the idea. We learned three phrases today. What is your name? How are you? and Nice to meet you.

There are grammar studies and other important parts of speech. I am very please with the program so far.

Monday, August 24, 2009

De-cluttering

The girls and I have spent the last few weeks going through cabinets, drawers, and closets getting rid of things. Things we have never used, things we haven't used in a long time, things we don't like, things that collect dust. My we have a lot of things. A lot of things. We have gotten at least 8 boxes from the kitchen alone. I still have at least one more cabinet in the kitchen to go through. My cupboards still have plenty of stuff in them. Even taking 8 big boxes out. Good grief.

Today we worked some on the kitchen, went through the china hutch, 2 boxes there, and the buffet. Two large boxes there. I got rid of a lot of linens, place mats and such. I think I need a year to get things pared down and then it would probably be time to do it again.

When I was in Tulsa with Mr. Olson in the 5th wheel, I did pretty good about not buying things. I need to keep that mindset.

The preacher brought his enclosed trailer over so we can just load it up to take to the rummage sale we are having in Guymon at my friend Lori's house. I think I will need to have another sale later because there is no way I can get through this whole house and de-clutter by next weekend.

Joy is coming home this weekend so she will be able to help with the garage sale. That will be a blessing.

I just have a hard time understanding how I ever ended up with this much stuff. I have taken at least three loads to the second hand store this summer, and with what I am doing now, it seems like it hasn't made a dent but I know I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff. I guess as always I will just keep on keeping on.

Tomorrow I want to go through the pretties on the top of my cabinets.

The preacher said that when you get too many pretties they become uglies and he is right. My pretties are getting ugly.

www/666???

I have heard that www in computer language means 666 in Hebrew, have you? Is it true?
Go to http://www.av1611.org/666/www_666.html to find out.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sunday Sunday

We had an excellent sunday school class today and then a great service.
Our sunday classes have been about not just going to church but to be the church. Kirby Beckwith is an excellent teacher. Today we studied Isiah 5:20-23 about others taking away the righteousness of the righteous person. The government is taking our righteousness away by holding people with morals to a particular standard and immoral people to none. In other words Christians cant lie or cheat but non Christians can because they have no moral compass. Its a do as I say but I don't have to kind of thing.

The Czars are all corrupt. Everyone of them. Even the name Czar sends a chill down my spine.

When a moral person like Sara Palin is hit with bogus allegations it blind sides them because they have a moral compass that does not allow them to lie and cheat, whereas an immoral person already is guilty and they know it so they have their story worked out in their head.

Christians are hit constantly with bogus accusations which blind side them and after a while they step down rather than be persecuted all the time. An immoral person just continues to deny any wrong doing.

This morning in sunday school class was the first time it actually made an impression on me that immoral people cant act like I do. They dont have a moral compass and the Holy Spirit to guide and direct their lives.

Praise God I have Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God himself to give me guidelines to live by. The Holy Bible is my guide book and all I need.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Mollie's birthday

Tomorrow is Mollie's 15th birthday. We are taking her out to Chinese tonight. She picked the type of food. It's only Mollie, Jeff and I.

We are going to Liberal to see about getting a couple of window air conditioners. We cant afford to replace to big central air unit right now and its been over a month without a/c so we decided we had to do something.

Friday, August 21, 2009

New Blog I found

This is a blog I found. It is about bringing our children home to be educated.
http://www.exodusmandate.org/

Check it out

Layered Salad

I noticed a recipe for layered salad over at Tammy's recipes. It sounded good so I think that's what I will make for supper. Here is how I make mine.
In a 9 X 13 inch pan layer as follows:
chopped salad greens
frozen peas
sliced eggs
bacon bits
Then make a mixture of mayonnaise and a bit of sugar and pour over top.
End with shredded cheese.
I will make it after lunch and supper will be taken care of.

This afternoon I will be sewing again.

I dropped Kay's peaches off at her house and she showed me her latest quilt. Its a denim one and it is beautiful. It made me want to make one but I know I just don't have time right now. She top stitched her squares and it really made the difference. I am giving her all of my old jeans and denim. I am so glad to know someone who will use it. I was afraid I was going to have to throw it away. Maybe someday I can try making one again.

Mollie is making sauteed zucchini and hamburgers for lunch. For some reason she makes the best sauteed zucchini. The zucchini I got was a little big so I quartered it and seeded it then sliced it. I think the big seeds make it taste bad. I sure smells good.

crabby old man

I saw this over at Barbara Mom of 12's site and copied it to this page, she got it as an email.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Tampa, Florida, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Missouri . The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

Crabby Old Man

What do you see nurses? ...What do you see?
What are you thinking......when you're looking at me?

A crabby old man,.....not very wise,
Uncertain of habit ........with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food.......and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice .....'I do wish you'd try!

'Who seems not to notice ....the things that you do.
And forever is losing .............. A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not...........lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding ... The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?.......Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse......you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am ......... As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding,.......as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten.......with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .........who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen ..with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now..........a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty ........my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows........that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now ........ I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide ....And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty ........... My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other ....... With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons ....have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me.......to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, ......... Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children ........ My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me ...... My wife is now dead.
I look at the future ............I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing......young of their own.
And I think of the years...... And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man.........and nature is cruel.'
Tis jest to make old age .......look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles..........grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone........where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass ..... A young guy still dwells,
And now and again ........my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys..............I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living.............life over again.

I think of the years ..all too few......gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact........that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .........open and see..
Not a crabby old man.....Look closer....see........ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.....we will all, one day, be there, too!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Dehydrating chili peppers

Today I am dehydrating chili peppers. Tammy from Dehydrate2store said to clean them, split them and lay them skin side up. Most of the time you lay things skin side down so I am glad I asked. I have quite a few peppers to dry.

I also have a 50# bag of potatoes I would like to dehydrate into hash browns and scalloped potatoes.

I am going to sew for at least an hour on the girls dresses for the wedding.

Tomorrow we pick up peaches. I want to make peach jam this year. I love peach jam. Mia's dad made some wonderful jam a year or two ago and I want to get his recipe.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Wednesday update

Mr. Olson went to Enid for a job interview yesterday. The head hunter had misrepresented the position as an engineering position when in fact it was a tech position. Even after the interview when Mr. Olson tried to explain it to the head hunter he insisted it was an engineering position. He may be from the camp where everybody is an engineer, like I am a domestic engineer. The trash man is a refuse engineer and so on. Anyway the plant, even the offices were covered in the black dust that is a by product of their plant. Mr. Olson came out of the interview with a dirty face and black hands. He said he could feel it in his lungs.

Next week he interviews in Oklahoma City and just before he went to the interview yesterday a company from Bakersfield, California called him. I would rater not move to California.

I made some good purchases at Walgreen's yesterday and the day before. I bought the soft soap shower gel for 3.99 and got a 4.00 RR. I then bought some Huggies wipes priced at 2.79, there was a coupon booklet at the front of the store with a coupon for 2.00 off. So they were .79 plus tax. I also bought some cream for cracked heels that was 5.99 each. I used the RR from the soft soap to pay for the cream.

Monday, August 17, 2009

This n that

Last evening a community ice cream social and prayer meeting for our school was held in the park. The turnout was great even though it was sort of a last minute affair. My guess is there were at least 100. There was singing, praying and then of course ice cream.

Our school starts today. The girls are trying to get organized right now then we will begin with prayer and Bible study.

Joy's classes also start today. She called last evening after church and she said she would call today after classes. I am hoping there is someone there she can compete against. She loves to compete for grades. It keeps her on her toes. The main thing she didn't like about homeschooling is she was the only one in her class and there was no one to compete against.

Later today we will be traveling to Garden City to visit my mom. She is in the hospital there.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Joy's college

We stayed in one of the parents rooms at AFBC last night. It is very nice. We get to stay here tonight as well. The room is called the Mahogany room. They also have a Pine room and an Oak room.

This morning she officially moves in although we did take her things to her room last night. She was not allowed to have the small fridge we brought so we are taking it back home. They have a small kitchenette in the dorm.

On weekends they have a fridge in the dinning hall where the cook leaves leftovers for the kids to heat up. I thought she had to provide her own meals on the weekends but not so. That leaves me with less worries.

Orientation is this afternoon with a meal this evening. I was happy to be able to stay and spend this time with Joy. I was afraid we would have to just come and drop her off.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

I bought some groceries

I broke down and bought some groceries today. Kellogg's is having a mail in rebate for 10.00 if you buy 10 products at the same time. I bought 2 boxes of pop tarts and 8 boxes of cereal. I got milk for 49 cents a gallon for buying the pop tarts at 2 for 5.00 and 8 boxes of cereal at 2 for 3.00 minus 4.00 plus 10.00 rebate. Total after rebate would be 2.00 but I got 2.00 off my milk so if I am figuring right is was all free.
I also found out that they mark the meat down on Wednesday evening. So I was able to pick up a bunch of lunch meat and bacon for cheap. Bacon was 1.00 a pkg. Turkey bacon was 1.50 pkg. The Jimmy Dean sausage was 1.50 and 16 oz. of lunch meat was 1.00. I was happy to learn this tid bit.
I tore the proof of purchase off the products so I can send for my 10.00 rebate.
Tomorrow when we go to take Joy to college we will make sandwiches with the cheap meat I bought to save on food on the road.

Off to college

Tomorrow morning we leave to take Joy to college. She checks in on Friday and starts classes on Monday. We are all a little apprehensive but we know she will do fine.
I called the school today to reserve a room for two nights. I hear they are very nice rooms. That way we can leave tomorrow and do some shopping on the way and not have to get up at 4am to leave on Friday.
Mollie is staying with Destiny which of course made her happy. Three nights with her friend. Yippee.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Free Book


Go to this site to request a free advance copy of the Full Plate Diet book. I received my copy yesterday and its great. Its all about adding fiber to your diet and not just bran either:http://www.fullplatedietbeta.org/index.php
The web site has a fun area where you can see how much fiber you are getting. You drag the food to your plate and the fiber bar goes up. Its fun to see how making different choices can really change the amount of fiber you are getting. I had fun making different plates of food to see which would be better for me. I am going to try this concept.n It makes sense.

More invasion of privacy


According to 5 U.S.C. § 552a, United States agencies, including the Executive Office of the President shall, "maintain no record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly authorized by statute or by the individual about whom the record is maintained or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity."According to 5 U.S.C. § 552a, United States agencies, including the Executive Office of the President shall, "maintain no record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly authorized by statute or by the individual about whom the record is maintained or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity."
Read more about Obama looking for fishy emails at:http://mommylife.net/

Coffee body scrub- FAIL


I am so glad I had extra coffee body scrub and decided to try it. I do not like it. It got all over the shower wall and curtain and I had a hard time washing it down the drain. I am going to toss it out and make a brown sugar scrub instead. That way she can use it from head to toe. I will use tea tree oil and it will be healing and antiseptic.

I used grape seed extract oil so it was expensive. That part is annoying. But I would rather know I didn't like it than to give something I didn't like.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Coffee body scrub


I made some coffee body scrub to bring to Kaleena, (I hope she doesn't read this) for her bridal shower. I made a little extra so I could try it first. Tomorrow I want to make some sugar facial scrub to take to her as well.
We leave tomorrow for Ashley's wedding at Lavern, it is tomorrow evening. We will then stay at the campground overnight and Friday head off to Branson. I am not going to have Hannah's dress done to bring along but I have the fabric samples. I am at a place where I need Joella's advice and she must be out of town.

I only made the four batches of soap this week. I had a goal of 12, guess I missed that one. lol
I have all these ideas in mind of scents to try, molds to try, etc. Thinking about what oils I want to use for what. I have one batch to cup up and then I will not be making any more until next week. When Mr. Olson gets home from California I need him to make a plunger or pusher so I can remove the soap from my new molds. I have also been thinking about a way to grease the inside of the mold, I think I have an idea, I just have to come up with a tool to do it.

I learned that soap cannot be made from motor oil, (I have had people ask me that) and the reason is that, petrolium products will not mix with the lye and saponify which is what makes the soap. So it stands to reason that I can use Vaseline in the molds as a release agent since Vaseline is a petroleum product and will not react with the lye.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Kaleena and Justin


Kaleena's wedding is coming up. Its Sept. 19th. Kaleena's favorite color is purple. Her wedding colors are purple and silver I think.
When I saw the picture of the bride it made me think of Kaleena. And the purple flowers say Kaleena too.
I sewed for a while on Hannah's dress today, the one for the wedding. I like the pattern its not too hard. Thanks to Joella for cutting and fitting or I would not be saying that. I am trying to finish her dress so we can bring it along to the wedding shower so Kaleena can see it.
I told Joy we should bring her dress along too and just leave them both there so we don't have to bring it later.
I will have to ask Kaleena if that is ok. Then I need to think about something for me to wear. Joella suggested a sleeveless dress with a light jacket. I may do that if I have time after I make Mollie's dress of course.
Tomorrow we need to run to Perryton to pick up the case of lye I ordered to make soap. They called this afternoon and said it is in.

Out my front door


Christine took this picture as we were sitting at the table after lunch on Sunday. It is lovely. She takes very nice photo's. Thanks Christine.

I am excited


I have been looking for an Excalibur dehydrator for a few weeks now. I don't want to spend $135.00 to $250.00 to purchase on new so I have been watching craigslist. Bingo. I found a new 4 tray dehydrator for $30.00. Yippee. It was 135.00 new. I will pick it up on Friday on my way to Branson to Kaleena's.
I think I may still look for another one since this is only 4 trays but I couldn't be more happy with this one.

Government wants to control your computer

Do not go to the government website about the cash f0r clunkers program. If you click on it and read the fine print it says you are giving the government control of your computer. Glen Beck talks about this at this link:http://mommylife.net/archives/2009/08/cash_for_clunke.html
You will be shocked.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Magic milkshakes

I was hungry for a treat and wanted something chocolate. So I made some magic milkshakes. I really like them, I found the recipe at Hillbilly Housewife a long time ago and have been using it for a long time.
Magic Milk Shakes
1-1/2 to 2 cups ice water
1-1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 1-1/2 trays of ice cubes, as much as you can spare

2 tablespoons corn oil plus a 5-second squirt of non-stick spray for emulsification purposes
Place all of the ingredients into the blender, including the oil and the non-stick spray. Use less water for thicker milk shakes and more water for shakes that are easy on your blender motor. The blender should be about 3/4’s full. Place the lid on. Process for a full 2 minutes. Pour into cups and serve. Makes 4 - 12oz servings. For preparation tips please see below.

I love this recipe because it makes very rich milk shakes without any ice cream. I don’t always have ice cream in the house because the kids eat it so fast. With this recipe we can have delicious frosty milk shakes for a fraction of the cost of those using ice cream. And all the ingredients are on the pantry shelf.
Reader’s Tip: A reader named Chris made these with Splenda replacing the sugar measure for measure and said they turned out perfectly. If you like Splenda, then this tip would be a great way to reduce the calories and make them sugar-free. Thanks for sharing Chris!
Variations:
Add 1 tablespoon of instant coffee for a mocha shake
Add 1 very ripe banana for a chocolate banana shake
Add a big spoonful of peanut butter for a decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake.
Add a few broken red and white candy mints for a refreshing Chocolate Mint shake.
To make Vanilla Milk Shakes, omit the cocoa powder, reduce the sugar to 1/2-cup and add 1 tablespoon (yes a full tablespoon) of vanilla flavoring. For a french vanilla milk shake crack in an egg too.
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/magicmilkshakes.htm

Monday

This morning I made four batches of soap. Eucalyptus and oatmeal, orange with ground orange peel, oatmeal, milk and honey and pomegranate and oatmeal.

Last night Joy and I were watching Nancy today on you tube make soap. We both said at the same time that the soap was shaped like drain pipe. Well after further investigation we found out that it was. Naturally this intrigued me and I had to find some to try this method. I really like the shape of the finished bar. I learned how she made a plunger to get the soap out, what she used to grease the tube with, how she sealed the ends etc. It was great watching her work out all the kinks, now I can just get right to making soap with it.

I also saw a lady using her silicone cup cake liners for molds and I want to try that too. She made a great looking facial bar I want to give a go.

We also went to Perryton to pick up Mollie and Hannah's glasses. Joy didn't get any because she didn't like any of the frames. She said she will pick some out from the online Zinni optical store. She better get busy or she wont get them before she goes off to college.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

This week's menu


I decided to try to do the Hillbilly Housewife's $70.00 everyday menu. If you go to her site and find the $70.00 everyday menu you can see what I will be trying to follow.

I will be substituting for things I don't have on hand. This way I can still do my pantry challenge.

I like this menu because she has the week's menu made up, the shopping list made out and then tells you what to do daily. It's a no brainer.


The challenge is on

I have challenged myself to live off our food storage now that Mr. Olson is without gainful employment. This will actually be a good thing so I can see where I need to fill in the gaps. I know the girls will miss milk, but I do have powdered to cook with. I read somewhere we drink too much milk anyway and you only need it as an infant and small child.

This is actually a good time to test this out as the greenhouse is producing so we can still have fresh produce. Friends are always giving us zucchini so we can have fresh for a while yet.

We know what the bills are and what our projected income with unemployment will be and as long as we are super frugal we can make it.

I am happy we stocked up on things in the past. It will help us now. I have a very positive attitude right now if I can just keep that up it will help a bunch.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Tomatoes

Joy picked about 15 tomatoes from the greenhouse today. Yummy.

The guys are grilling steak, corn of the cob and zucchini on the grill.

The zucchini is chunked, tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper with pest sauce. I think any vegetable grilled is good.

Last week we bought corn at the farmers market and it was really good so we bought more today.

The produce is finally coming on so there is more to choose from at the farmers market.

My soap is getting known and I do fairly good each week.