Prairie Oak Homestead

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ. ~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~ When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence. ~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~ When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any unpunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility-and endure it as Jesus endured. ~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~ When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God. ~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~ When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good

 This is one of my favorite herbs :) Used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsilitis. Elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995. Elderberries have been a folk remedy for centuries in North America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, hence the medicinal benefits of elderberries are being investigated and rediscovered. Elderberry is used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, to improve vision, to boost the immune system, to improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsilitis. Bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice destroy the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell. People with the flu who took elderberry juice reported less severe symptoms and felt better much faster than those who did not. Elderberries contain organic pigm

Our friend invited us to spend Thanksgiving with her family.  So we loaded up the vehicle and her, her husband, Ryan, Hunter, and I and set off for Ohio.  We played road games like I spy and talked and had a good time on the way over.  We arrived about 7 hours later and were glad to get something to eat and sit down. :) Her family was very kind to us and we felt very comfortable there.  It was great spending Thanksgiving with a lot of people.  The food was FANTASTIC!  We played cards, went to Wheeling to go to Cabela's, and just relaxed.  It was a great time for our family.  I loved seeing how their relationships worked.  They were all very close.  You could feel the love they had for each other.  It was great to be around. :)  I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.  Now that we are home, we have a ton of stuff to do in the next two weeks.  We are leaving for our cruise on the 10th of December and I need to get this house in order, get packed, etc.  It's going to get h

I love Johnny Cash and I really like this song for Thanksgiving. I am thankful for so many things. I thank the Lord He made my husband, my son, friends, family, my church family, people who have stepped up and became a mentor to me, and yes I am thankful He made Johnny Cash :). I have been truly blessed. This Thanksgiving I want to focus on thankfulness and not sadness. I want to focus on contentment. It is such a strong, wonderful characteristic to have. One that I desire to achieve. I pray everyone has a good Thanksgiving. Remember your loved ones that are not sitting around the table with you. They are there in your heart...

The tests of life are to make us, not break us.  Trouble may demolish a man's business, but build up his character.  The blow at the outward man may be the greatest blessing to the inner man.  If God, then, puts or permits anything hard to our lives, be sure that the real peril, the real trouble, is what we shall lose if we flinch or rebel. ~ Maltbie Babcock

I am studying to become an herbalist.  Here in my state there is no licensing, only certification, but you don't have to be certified either and can be self-educated.  I have been studying herbs for a long time, but I decided I wanted to really get into it.  Of course, I won't be working outside the home.  I just wanted some more knowledge and to be able to help friends. So every once in a while I will post something about an herb.  Today is Turmeric.  I really like this herb.  It does so many great things... Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Turmeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye. The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many differe

This comes from the book, "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Willow -Never allow yourself to complain about anything-not even the weather. -Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else. -Never compare your lot with another's. -Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise. -Never dwell on tomorrow-remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours. I have been working a lot on contentment.  I have done previous posts on not realizing just how discontent I was.  It's a sneaky thing that worms it's way into my life....many times.  It is something that I have to constantly give over to Christ.  I am hoping that it will become easier as time goes on.  The list above is a good start to help me keep it in check.  I have failed at each one of these points...sadly. I know I am one to complain about the weather...especially when it's cold and yucky.  I picture myself other places a lot...like in the mountains. I compare my lot with oth

I don't know about you, but the prices of food going up has really affected my bill.  I am thankful for the harvest I was able to put up this summer, but it wasn't a tremendous amount.  I am so glad canning and preserving the harvest is a passion of mine.  One that I've had since I was a little girl. A passion I think every wife should have. :) Sometimes I feel like we are living back in the dirty 30's when the depression was in full force.  I know "they" say we are not in a depression, but it sure feels like it at the grocery store.  All the good for you foods have jumped up in price.  It stings a little this time of year when my husband is laid off for the winter.  He won't go back until mid March or so.  So what's a girl to do? We try to be good stewards of our money.  I am pretty frugal and I don't squander my husband's hard earned money.  I am very thorough at the grocery store and make sure I get the best price for each item purchase

We had this last night and it was wonderful! Mushroom and Blueberry Balsamic Roast 1 whole 3 -4 Pound Chuck Roast olive oil and butter Salt And Pepper, to taste 2 whole Onions, Quartered 1-½ cup Baby Carrots 1 cup Baby Portobello Mushrooms, Sliced Thick 4 cloves Garlic, Thinly Sliced ½ cups Balsamic Vinegar ½ cups Beef Broth ¼ cups Tomato Sauce 2 cups Fresh Blueberries Drizzle 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over chuck roast and generously salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. Cut two onions in quarters and cut 6 carrots into 2-inch slices (you can peel them, but you don’t have to). When the oil in the pot is very hot (but not smoking), add in the onions, browning them on one side and then the other. Remove the onions to a plate. Add the carrots into the same pot and toss them around a bit until slightly browned, about a minute or so. Add a little more olive oil if necessary an

     10 An  excellent wife, who can find?          For her worth is far  above rubies.      11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,          And he will have no lack of gain.      12 She does him good and not evil          All the days of her life.      13 She looks for wool and flax          And works with her hands in delight.      14 She is like  merchant ships;          She brings her food from afar.      15 She rises also while it is still night          And  gives food to her household          And portions to her maidens.      16 She considers a field and buys it;          From her earnings she plants a vineyard.      17 She  girds herself with strength          And makes her arms strong.      18 She senses that her gain is good;          Her lamp does not go out at night.      19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,          And her hands grasp the spindle.      20 She  extends her hand to the poor,          And she stretches out her hands to th

Yea, "new every morning," though we may awake, Our hearts with old sorrow beginning to ache; With old work unfinished when night stayed our hand, With new duties waiting, unknown and unplanned; With old care still pressing, to fret and to vex, With new problems rising, ours minds to perplex; In ways long familiar, in paths yet untrod, Oh, new every morning the mercies of God! His faithfulness fails not; it meets each new day With guidance for every new step of the way; New grace for new trials, new trust for old fears, New patience for bearing the wrongs of the years, New strength for new burdens, new courage for old, New faith for whatever the day may unfold; As fresh for each need as the dew on the sod; Oh, new every morning the mercies of God! By Annie Johnson Flint

The sun going down early is really messing with me.  I'm usually up with the sun, but the sun doesn't come up fast enough and then goes away too soon.  I always feel like going to bed after supper.  When we used oil lamps in the evenings, we would always end up in bed early.  Sure, we would play a game or something, but we would always be tired because of the dim light.  Then we would be up with the sun to make the most of our day.  These kind of nights make for good cozy time in the living room with the woodstove.   Hunter did his sound effects for a "movie" last night at the library.  He did a good job. :)  He was one of the youngest ones in there and the rest of the students were college age. He is interested in technology things and picks it up so fast.  I'm really proud of him...God has really blessed me. He's been doing a great job with the new homeschooling approach.  I know I've said it before, but it's true.  He's such a good reade

"Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for." Job 6:8 What do you hope for?  Is it more money? Happier marriage? To see someone you haven't seen in a long time? To be a better Christian?  To experience more of God's love through His people?  To become more like Christ?  To be loved? Are the things in which we hope for and request from God also His desires? What are our motives?  Is it to glorify God by doing things He commands us in His word? Or do we have selfish motives?  I would have to say that I've been on both ends of this spectrum at sometime or another.  There are many things I hope for. I believe most of what I hope for is His desire, also.  I'm sure there are things I hope for that may not be in His plan.  One thing I can think of is my trip to Montana next year.  I hoped for it and it's not meant to be this time around.  We have some debt to pay down before we go.  I want to pay cash for the trip and we won

I went into the church today to volunteer. It's nice getting back out after my surgery. This week was my second time back and it was better than last week.  Last week I was really weak.  The house is warm today from the morning fire in the woodstove.  I am so thankful for our free heat. :)  It just makes me feel so much better when I'm not freezin'. Hunter has been going to the library on Mon evenings to take part in a film.  He is doing sound effects and tonight they are doing the movie.  I hope to get some pics. :)  Our pastor talked about living for the day yesterday.  I thought it interesting because that is something I've been talking about and struggling with.  He said, "Leave tomorrow alone"  That's hard to do.  But, I know in order for me to live for today and live in the moment, I need to.  It is very hard to be strong sometimes.  To stand up strong and face the enemy with shoulders back and head held high, when all the while I just want to

Are you passing through a testing? Is your pillow wet with tears? Do you wonder what the reason, Why it seems God never hears? Why it is you have no answer To your oft, repeated plea, Why the heaven still is leaden As you wait on bended knee? Do you wonder as you suffer, Whether God does understand, And if so, why He ignores you, Fails to hold you in His Hand? Do black doubts creep in, assail you, Fears without--and fears within, Till your brave heart almost falters And gives way to deadly sin? All God's testings have a purpose, Someday you will see the light. All He asks is that you trust Him, Walk by faith and not by sight. Do not fear when doubts beset you, Just remember - He is near; He will never, never leave you, He will always, always hear. Faithful is He who has promised, He will never let you fall, Daily will the strength be given Strength for each and strength for all. He will gladly share pain with you, He will gladly give you peace. Till yo

My husband was laid off yesterday for the winter....earlier than normal.  Work has been a bit scarce these last few weeks.  It will be nice to have him home. The weather here today is rainy and cooler.  I kinda like it today.  It helps me rest. :)  On days like this I like to stay home and bake.  I'm going to be baking these today.  They sounded good to me. :) http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/desserts/coffee-fridge-cookies/ Thinking about trials the last couple days...Today in my devotional was this... "God knows that you can stand that trial; He would not give it to you if you could not.  It is His trust in you that explains the trials of life, however bitter they may be.  God knows our strength, and He measures it to the last inch; and a trial was never given to any man that was greater than that man's strength, through God, to bear it." Streams in the Desert. It helps to know that God knows I can stand the trials He presents in my life, or He

I got this book in the mail the other day...it's teeny tiny in size, but big on old fashioned wisdom... Here are some of the "don'ts" for wives... Don't forget the feed the brute well.  Much depends on the state of his digestion. Don't let him have to search the house for you.  Listen for him at the door and meet him on the threshold. Don't think your husband horrid if he seems a bit irritable; he probably had a very tiring day and his nerves are overwrought. Don't keep the house so tidy that your husband is afraid to leave a newspaper lying about. Don't get angry when your husband says your cake doesn't taste like his mother's; write and ask her for the recipe. Don't say "I told you so" to your husband no matter how much you feel tempted to. Don't return to an old grievance. Once the matter has been thrashed out, let it be forgotten, or at least never allude to it again. I thought this book was interesting in

Congratulations Troop Petrie! You WON! I used Random.org to get our winner.  Send me your address and phone number to ecclesiastes1_2@yahoo.com and General Mills and Live Gluten Freely will get your package out to you! :)  I hope you enjoy the products.  I think you'll be surprised at how good gluten free can taste. :) <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZfArquk4WiBWgeBH1tY5mxAx3MjrQ6BSMHnB4VBsZhYuozx_eThmpZA4OD3TycT3qLOUAdhP0yklax6xvbHXuW5YK1PVjf_jzZ2Y_CVnh-b7TnuGga4Bve2oamKBpY02ii3Bb-t9xqOh/s45/all+pictures+199.jpg" width="35" height="35" class="photo" alt=""> trooppetrie said... I am new to the gluten free lifestyle, have not totally gone there but researching and trying to make small changes, I am thrilled that you showed things that I had never thought about.

Thank you for all you do and continue to do!  Here are couple songs appropriate for the day from my favorite singer. :) *DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GLUTEN FREE GIVEAWAY! I'M DRAWING A WINNER TOMORROW!*

I can hardly believe it's November! This week has been in the 70's and I am just LOVING it! :)  Next week looks cold though, but it is November after all. :)  The captain will probably be laid off the end of this week for the winter.  A lot sooner than usual.  Usually he is laid off in December sometime.  It may be a long winter. ;) I have to go see the doc today about the blood clot in my arm to make sure there isn't anything else I should be doing and to see when on earth it will get better.  It is painful. I am thankful for a God who takes care of us.  He doesn't always heal our physical pain.  But, He gives comfort to us while we are hurting.  He can mend our emotional pain using others to give us a word of encouragement.  I know the holidays are coming around and that can be hard for some people, and yes for me.  There are people you want to speak to or hear from that you just can't for whatever reason.  For those times, hopefully we have made it clear our

This post comes from "The Male Domain" which is from the husband of the blogger "A Wise Woman Builds Her Home."  Since I am raising a son and thought some of you may be also, I wanted to share this gem. :) *Also don't forget to enter my gluten free giveaway! I will be drawing a winner on Friday!* In his book, Future Men , Douglas Wilson says, "Manhood is where boyhood should be aimed." With this in mind, I'd like to start my series about Raising Sons with a look at shaping our sons masculine identity. Our boys should be brought up with a different mindset than our daughters; they should see themselves as soldiers for Jesus Christ, ready to fight the Lord's battles when needed, and ready to give their lives for the kingdom if called to do so. This won't happen by chance. If you let culture raise your boys, and you're hoping for good results, you might be waiting a loooong time. For a boy to grow up seeing himself as a God

This came to my mind while sitting here this morning and looking out the window at the beautiful morning we are having.  Just wanted to share... In order to bear good, beautiful fruit, we need both sunshine and showers.. We need both to grow healthy fruit. Too much sunshine and our fruit withers on the vine...too many showers and our fruit becomes overwhelmed and can drown in the flood of showers. Joy and trials...sunshine and showers. We need both so th e fruit will be fully ripe and luscious and be known by others as good fruit. Mt. 7:20, John 15:8, Mt 12:33 Don't be upset when showers come and you think all you need is sunshine...showers are a blessing in our lives. And so is sunshine...Trials and joy...we need both.

Here is an updated photo of me my son took today.  This about 3 1/2 weeks after surgery and I think I look a bit tired still.  I am enjoying the sunshine we have today.  It is 65 out and nice. :)  I am thankful God has allowed me to be rid of cancer and I am blessed with another year to enjoy a beautiful fall. :)  He is gracious... *Don't forget to enter my gluten free giveaway! I will be drawing a winner on Nov 12th. :)

My husband and I had a conversation about this this morning.  He had revealed to me that he thought that I didn't really trust him to lead our family.  Ouch.  It only hurt because after I thought about it, I think he might be on to something.  He asked me to do a simple thing this morning that I didn't really want to do and I let him know it.  It wasn't anything sinful. But, instead of just doing what he asked of me, I balked at it and complained.  We argued.  He wanted me to trust him in what he was asking of me and if I had a problem with it, to let him know nicely later after I did what he asked.  Sounds kinda barbaric, huh?  In fact in the argument, I called him a barbarian. ;)  Not very gentle... He said if I trusted his leading of our family like I say I do, then I wouldn't question him on so many things and just do what he asks.  He's right. I struggle with being submissive at times, but it's what I desire and strive for.  But, I sometimes fail. Why is

It's been cold in the mornings around here.  The house quickly warms up after the fire is started in the woodstove. :)  It's almost that time of year...the time of hibernation.  Ryan will be laid off for the winter, the house is warm from the woodstove, and the house smells good from the goodies being baked.  It's a time of rest and time spent together.  I've been feeling better...Some days still are clouded with aches and pains, but I am looking forward to the day when that surgical pain is all gone. :)  I've been able to do more and that makes me feel better.  I've been back to cooking supper every night.  It feels good to be able to provide that for my family again.  We have revamped Hunter's homeschool and look forward to starting the new approach Monday.  This is a rich, advanced curriculum (Charlotte Mason approach) and I think he will benefit a lot from it.  I'm really enjoying the coziness of the house on these cold days.  It's nice to

Here is God's loving challenge to you and to me today.  He wants us to think of the deepest, highest, worthiest desire and longing of our hearts, something which perhaps was our desire for ourselves or for someone dear to us, yet which has been so long unfulfilled that we have looked upon it as only a lost desire, that which might have been but not cannot be, and so have given up hope of seeing it fulfilled in this life. That thing , if it is in line with what we know to be His expressed will, God intends to do for us, even if we know that it is of such utter impossibility that we only laugh at the absurdity of anyone's supposing it could ever now come to pass.  That thing God intends to do for us, if we will let him.  Nothing is too hard for Jehovah to do for those that trust Him. "Streams in the Desert" This was my devotion this morning...I could definitely think of the "thing" for me that would seem impossible and have given up hope in and it would be

As a person with Celiac Disease I was excited about this giveaway. :)  General Mills has generously offered this giveaway through MyBlogSpark!  As you can see it contains lots of great products. Betty Crocker® Gluten-Free Brownie Mix Betty Crocker® Gluten-Free Yellow Cake Mix Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy Chocolate Frosting Honey Nut Chex® Cereal Bisquick® Gluten Free Original Pancake and Baking Mix Betty Crocker® Fruit Flavored Snacks Variety Pack - Fruit Roll-Ups®, Fruit Gushers®, Fruit by the Foot® Peanut Butter Cookie Lärabar® Snack Bar Betty Crocker® Potato Buds® Mashed Potatoes Betty Crocker® Red Serving Spoon I appreciate the labeling of General Mills/Betty Crocker products.  They are easy to see if the product is gluten free or not just by looking under the Nutritional Facts.  It saves a lot of label reading, which can take time at the grocery store. I have used all the products above except for the potato buds.  My husband doesn't prefer a boxed potato. 

Our church has some of the Homestead Blessing dvd's to check out.  I watched the soap making one and was inspired. :)  I've always wanted to make my own soap and I've only made glycerin soaps.  If you haven't seen this video yet, I highly recommend it.  It flows nice and the ladies are easy to understand. For my birthday this past Sunday, I got a stick blender. :)  It's something I needed so I can finally make cold processed soap.  I'm looking forward to making some soap for gifts this year.  Things have been so topsy-turvey around here lately that I feel like the holiday season has caught me off guard.  I don't like to be stressed during this season.  It takes the focus off of what it's all really about.  It's not about running around crazy trying to find the perfect gift for everyone and heaven forbid if you miss someone.  It's about Christ and family and sharing the love, hope, and grace He has given...