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Wisdom of our Ancestors

12/19/2010

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I just came across a emailed "tribute" to my great-grandmother on my mothers side.  I'm so blessed when I hear about some of our family heritage.  Not only does it inspire me, but it also explains some of my innate tendencies/desires.

Here is a little excerpt from the history of a truly phenomenal woman born in the late 1800's:


  "….She taught for a salary of $55 per month grades 1 - 8. The school term lasted five months each year in an one-room school house. The love of teaching extended beyond the classroom and, during the growing season, homemakers were taught the art of canning and preserving fruits and vegetables. Some of their efforts were carried to county fairs and won prizes.

In her words:

"By using your head and hands, work can solve any problem that a person has."

This philosophy was undoubtedly inherited from her beloved father, who was a skillful farmer and carpenter. His skills were also her skills:

- Her family was never hungry because she always had a garden with beets, onions, greens, cabbage squash, beans, etc.

- Her orchard had peaches, plums, pears, pecans, and grapes.

- Her planting and harvest schedule was planned to ensure at least nine months of fresh produce.

- From the harvest of fruits she made juices, jellies, preserves, and cobblers. A family favorite was her peach cobbler made from tiny peaches wit the pits left in.

- She built stools and chairs for her grandchildren, each customized to the child's size.

- She remodeled the back porch, of the house that the family rented, to make an additional room. She also built a storage shed.

- She enjoyed fishing with her next-door neighbor in the local rives and creeks.

- She helped other people build outdoor pit toilets (out-houses).

- She taught her school children to cook, sew, embroider, make curtains, build chairs, etc.

- A Sunday afternoon ritual was making and freezing ice cream. (The recipe has been handed down through the generations)

With what seemed to be limitless energy, she also held other jobs. These included washing and ironing, picking cotton, cutting and stripping sugar cane to make molasses, and selling meals at stands set up a various associations and fairs.

From this amazing woman, family values were to spring as models for all generations to come.

- Love and respect people from all walks of life.

- Learn, and teach, the joy of living and the joys of life.

- Be pleasant while being firm.

- If you must not spare the rod, ensure that the children know that despite this, they are loved. (Later generations would come to believe that not all parents learned this one so well!)

 - Always retain a respect for the status quo; don't loose perspective on 'from whence you came.' As examples:

 Above all, make sure that you have a Faith that is deeply rooted in God.

A faithful member of Second Baptist Church, she attended every Sunday with her brood in tow. Attendance for them was not optional because she held a strong belief that parents should take their children to church not send them to church. Her favorite hymns were What A Friend We Have in Jesus and Leanin' On The Everlasting Arms.

 …… As she lay in repose at her funeral, her only son, now a pilot with the famed Tuskegee Airmen, removed his wings and placed them on her chest as a final tribute. Why? It was his mother who taught the family how to fly to their dreams, keep a friend in Jesus, and not to forget to lean on the Everlasting Arms. "

(above excerpt about my great-grandmother written by my mothers cousin)

Consider talking to your children about the "positive" attributes of their ancestors


P/S If your great-grandchildren chose to write a tribute about you, what things do you think they'd share?
(That's a humbling thou



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Benefits of Training

12/19/2010

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Lately, I've been slacking in the area of training our children.  There are so many distractions that have interfered with simple planning and execution of training our little blessings.  As many can imagine, it is extremely beneficial to take advantage each opportunity to teach and direct children in "the way they should go." 

One of the most effective training methods I've noticed is to be an example that can be duplicated.  My attitude and actions are extremely impactive on the children and must not be overlooked. 


Ultimately, I hope this little reminder will encourage you when it comes to raising your children.


Here are a few past posts regarding the value of child training:
http://www.joyfuljunction.com/1/post/2010/06/emphasizing-life-skills.html
http://www.joyfuljunction.com/1/post/2010/01/boys-to-men.html


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Preparedness Curriculum

12/16/2010

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We recently received our new home education curriculum from www.prepareandpray.com.  I ordered volume I & II which are unit studies based on the classics "Swiss Family Robinson," "Robinson Crusoe," and "Sign of the Beaver."

I'm looking forward to beginning this study and hope to share some of our new discoveries!
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Bulk Benefits

12/16/2010

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Our almond milk was a great success and now we plan to try to make a few batches regularly.

Here's how it happened:
Several weeks ago, I purchased 25 pounds of almonds from the bulk food section of our grocery store.  I decided to divide the almonds into large plastic ziploc bags to be stored in the freezer.  After I sccoped the nuts into the bags, I counted a little over 40 cups of nuts total.  Next, I calculated approximately how many batches of almond milk could be produced with my bulk purchase.  Keep in mind, that the nuts swell after soaking, so this increased the total volume of almonds.

Finally, I compared the cost of almonds & quantity of homemade milk versus the storebought prices and quantities.  Even though my measurements weren't completely precise, I was happy to note that there was only about a $10 difference. 

Overall, when I weigh the health & convienence benefits of making our own homemade almond milk, it's worth the few extra dollars to make it ourselves.

If you have any bulk order tips that have helped your family, please do not hesitate to share.


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Our oldest daughter helping prepare the milk
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From Scratch

12/11/2010

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I got an itch this week to revisit some of my old recipes from scratch.  We had great crockpot yogurt and now I'm preparing to make some almond milk according to a recipe I viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOXI6oPxDws

For those wanted to try a SUPER easy homemade yogurt recipe that DOES NOT require a thermometer, here's what I use:


SUPPLIES:
Slow Cooker (aka "Crockpot")
Dishtowel

Spoon or Whisk

INGREDIENTS:
8cups milk (powdered milk mixed with water works fine)
6oz quality yogurt-plain or flavored is fine (check for the kosher symbol)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Pour 8cups (or 2 quarts) of milk in slow cooker
  • Cover & Turn slow cooker on low for 2 1/2 hours
  • Turn off warmed milk and allow to set for 3 hours
  • Stir in 6 oz yogurt (this provides your culture)
  • Warm your oven to 100degrees or the warm setting, then TURN OFF (this will incubate the yogurt)
  • Put a dish towel over the top of the slow cooker with the milk/yogurt and place in the oven 8-10 hours
  • Remove your slow-cooker and skim off the whey from the top of the yogurt, then ENJOY!

TIPS:
  1. Consider starting this recipe after lunch and leave it in the oven overnight so you'll have yogurt for breakfast
  2. You may want to add some sweetner such as honey, raw sugar, etc.
  3. This is great with fruit and/or granola---It can also be frozen as yogurt pops

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Down Memory Lane

12/6/2010

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Children grow up SO fast!  Here are two vids I posted in 2008 and it's hard to believe how much older the children seem to be. (BTW, the music is from Serene & Pearl at www.AboveRubies.org)
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Purely Essential

12/6/2010

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Okay, I may be sharing "TMI" in this post, but if it helps someone then here it goes...

I'm not sure if due to the weather or stress that I got a fever blister, but out of now where the beginnings of a potential issue popped up on my lip.  My initial reaction was to go natural and try one of my essential oils.  I was out of tea tree, so I opted for pure peppermint oil.  Obviously, I had to dilute the oil, so I got about a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and mixed about 2-3 drops of the peppermint oil.

This little concoction had AMAZING results!  I applied it every 1-2 hours and it began working instantly.  By the second day, this "blemish" had virtually disappeared.

Hopefully my little experience may peak your curiosity about essential oils.  If you haven't checked it out previously, here's a link to a guide I wrote awhile back:


http://www.joyfuljunction.com/uploads/2/6/3/1/2631046/essential_oil_guide__peppermint.pdf


Also, if you click on the link to the banner on the right for Mountain Rose Herbs, then I will receive a small credit from your purchase. :-)


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Gratitude and Giving

12/6/2010

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It really is more blessed to give than receive!

One of my favorite things to do is to write little cards or send little care packages to friends/family.  I recall as a child receiving boxes from my grandmother and aunt filled with snacks, carefully sewn dresses and other random items. This was such an exciting time! Now a few decades later, my children have the joy of receiving boxes of goodies from my family. This has created great memories for them.  However, rather than just racking in the goods, I've tried to teach my children the importance of GRATITUDE AND GIVING by writing Thank you cards and sending occasional gifts.

This week I had a small challenge in the department of gift giving.  I was seeking a creative gift for multiple children that could fit in a flat rate mailing box.  This family just welcomed a new baby and I wanted to send a gift that included something for each family member. 

I started collecting a few items  earlier in the month, but I wasn't exactly sure what to get for the siblings.  Then while we were out shopping the girls found a GREAT  gift.....A BUILD-A-BEAR kit.
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I just knew this was a great fit and it would give each child an opportunity to contribute to the creation of a special gift for their new baby sister!

Ultimately, I wanted to share this here with hopes of encouraging you to think about your long distance family/friends.  Can you think of a special gift you'd like to send out?
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Switching Gears

12/6/2010

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Last week I finally went in to have an eye exam.  I realized that part of my procrastination for delaying an exam came from a little trauma as a child when they would make my eyeball touch a red light on a machine and then later put in some stinging eye drops that made my vision blurry.

Well, I was a big girl this time and I got it done.  Thankfully, I was not traumatized, but when I was asked to read the letters on the wall, my initial reaction was to start reading from right to left.  The letters formed foreign words (so to speak,) so it was natural for me to think like reading Hebrew and try to read from the right.


It's so interesting how our minds work sometimes---just thought I'd share :-)
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Backyard Fun

12/1/2010

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A little more snow entertainment :-)
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