Prairie Oak Homestead

My girls caught my attention this morning when they were overly excited by a tree in the back yard.  I soon discovered what all the fuss was about... There were tons of cicadas in various stages of development on the tree...*shiver*  Here is one that is just emerging from it's old skin... They are white when they first come out of their old skin. Here is a bunch of the skins at the bottom of the tree. The chickens were feasting on the smorgasbord of cicadas.  They were happy as clams! All I can say is...YUCK!

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,   who has given us freedom of religion . It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press . It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech .    It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.     It is the   VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN , not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.   It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag. It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag,   ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM!

It's been a busy day. :) I cut soap this morning and labeled some. I went to a local herb store here in town as they were asking about carrying my soap. I came away with an account with them. :) That was great! I am also going to be doing some teaching out there this fall. I'm looking forward to that. I saw the same motorcycle twice today. The first time I saw it, I started to tear up. It was a yellow Honda Goldwing. This one was a regular style, not a trike. It reminded me of someone I am missing very much. Then later on, I saw it again. All I could do was pray for who it reminded me of. So I did. Some days it's hard to not let things get to you. I am missing my step dad as well. He was killed two days after my 31st birthday. I am now 35. My son found a picture of him earlier this week that was in some things I had forgotten about in the garage. I miss his chuckle. It's hard to do life without a dad. But, it can be done. It's just not as, well I can't even ...

We have Japanese Honeysuckle growing here. :) I decided to make a cough syrup. It is very easy.  Here's all you do... It's a bit blurry, but you get the idea. Harvest the blossoms of the honeysuckle and put in a half-pint or pint jar to a light pack. Get some good honey locally, preferably raw and fill the jar covering the honeysuckle.  Give it a stir. It will be sticky. I use a chop stick. This is what it will look like when honey is added.  Don't worry if the honeysuckle begins to float to the top. Just keep a lid on it real tight and one day store upside down and the next right side up, etc for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, strain out honeysuckle and store the honey cough syrup for later use. :) If you'd like to learn more about herbs and their uses, click on the facebook badge on the right. You can follow my herbalist page that way. :) Enjoy!

Quiet contentment in a discontent world is almost unheard of today. Americans are bombarded with the false ideals that threaten to steal our joy while masking itself a faux remedy. We are constantly brainwashed to upgrade, and to desire not just what is good but what is better and even what is best , according to what the world dictates for us. When we do not acquire those standards, we grumble, we are resentful which can lead us on the miserable path to bitterness.  Here are a few examples: 1. Our Husbands ---We might become discontent with our husbands because he might not do what we want him to do when we want him to do it. It could be that he is not making enough money or maybe he is laid off at the moment without a job. Perhaps he is not tending to the house repairs as fast as we'd like him to or is not leading as you think he should. This is very difficult because it requires us to relinquish control to God and put circumstances into His hands. 2. Our Childr...

"When thou passest through the waters...they shall not overflow thee" (Isa. 43:2). God does not open paths for us in advance of our coming. He does not promise help before help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them. Yet when we are on the edge of our need, God's hand is stretched out. Many people forget this, and are forever worrying about difficulties which they foresee in the future. They expect that God is going to make the way plain and open before them, miles and miles ahead; whereas He has promised to do it only step by step as they may need. You must get to the waters and into their floods before you can claim the promise. Many people dread death, and lament that they have not "dying grace." Of course, they will not have dying grace when they are in good health, in the midst of life's duties, with death far in advance. Why should they have it the...

It was such a pretty day today...the sun came out, the birds were singing, the kittens were out playing, and there was a gentle breeze.  I love days like these! I mowed the yard today and rather enjoyed it. No swallows fluttering by yet. Soon. I planted some Evening Primrose seeds and some Yarrow seeds. I'm hoping they take.  They are such a fragile tiny seed and it is supposed to rain good. Hoping they don't get washed away... Getting excited about the mission trip to Appalachia. I get to split wood and stack it and help with some repairs on a home.  I will take it easy though. :) I'm also getting excited about the mission trip to Venezuela coming in October. We are still raising funds for that to get out there. If you'd like to donate, you can click on the widget on the sidebar and donate through paypal. :) Gonna go do some weeding as it cools off a bit...I pray everyone enjoys their weekend. Some things never change. :)

"For every child of God overcomes the world: and the victorious principle which has overcome the world is our faith" (1 John 5:4, Weymouth). At every turn in the road one can find something that will rob him of his victory and peace of mind, if he permits it. Satan is a long way from having retired from the business of deluding and ruining God's children if he can. At every milestone it is well to look carefully to the thermometer of one's experience, to see whether the temperature is well up. Sometimes a person can, if he will, actually snatch victory from the very jaws of defeat, if he will resolutely put his faith up at just the right moment. Faith can change any situation. No matter how dark it is, no matter what the trouble may be, a quick lifting of the heart to God in a moment of real, actual faith in Him, will alter the situation in a moment. God is still on His throne, and He can turn defeat ...

Yesterday, I made up some herbal tinctures.  I started elderberry, echinacea, and feverfew.  They will be ready in 6 weeks. :)  I use the folk method for making my tinctures.  I fill the jar half way with dried herbs and fill up the jar with 80 proof vodka.  Give them a good shake daily for six weeks and then strain out through a cheesecloth and add to medicine vials with droppers. If you'd like to learn more about herbs and their benefits, click on the facebook button on the sidebar. :)

Good Cheap Food 1.   Buy raw ingredients instead of prepackaged foods. If you don’t know how to cook, learn. You’ll save on food bills, and your body will thank you for it in the long run. 2.   Buy in bulk from a local health food store, or place bulk orders directly with mail-order companies. If you can’t meet their minimum order size, go in on an order with another family, or organize a larger food buying club. 3.   Avoid the middleman and buy directly from farmers. Look for farm stands, community supported agriculture programs and farmers markets. 4.   Eat fruits and vegetables in season, when they are least expensive. (Once, we found organic watermelon for three cents a pound!) Stock up when they’re cheap and freeze or can any excess for later use. 5. Keep up with what’s in your refrigerator and make sure nothing spoils. Once a week, make soup or casseroles to use up vegetables and other leftovers. 6.   Calculate the price of food per poun...

I found this beauty on "Tasty Kitchen" and I fell in love!  It's look so yummy!  One of these days I'm gonna try and make it. :)  You should, too! Ingredients 1 whole Sleeve (about 4 Oz. Sleeve) Graham Crackers, Finely Ground 4 Tablespoons Butter, Melted 1-½ quart Vanilla Ice Cream 1 jar (12.25 Oz. Size) Hot Fudge Sauce 2 whole Bananas, Sliced 1 jar (12.25 Oz. Size) Caramel Sauce 1 tub (8 To 12 Oz. Size) Whipped Topping, Thawed Maraschino Cherries (optional) Preparation Instructions In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs (about 1 3/4 cup) and melted butter together until moistened. Press into a pie shell and place in the freezer. Remove all vanilla ice cream into a bowl and mix to soften. (You may want to microwave it in 30-second intervals until it’s easier to mix to soften.) Remove the pie shell from the freezer and spread half the hot fudge sauce onto the bottom of the pie shell. Spread half the softened ice cream over top evenly. T...

My husband and I are heading to Venezuela in October to assist in building a worship facility. They are currently worshiping outside. We would love your help! Thank you so much! Raise Money Online

"At their wit's end, they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out" (Ps. 107:27, 28). Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner," Christian, with troubled brow? Are you thinking of what is before you, And all you are bearing now? Does all the world seem against you, And you in the battle alone? Remember--at "Wit's End Corner" Is just where God's power is shown. Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner," Blinded with wearying pain, Feeling you cannot endure it, You cannot bear the strain, Bruised through the constant suffering, Dizzy, and dazed, and numb? Remember--at "Wit's End Corner" Is where Jesus loves to come. Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"? Your work before you spread, All lying begun, unfinished, And pressing on heart and head, Longing for strength to do it, Stretching out trembling hands? Remember--at. "Wit's End Corner" The ...

Worldliness has a subtle way of creeping into our lives. It can invade our thinking, corrupting a person to their very core. We are tugged on all sides to worship the world and it's gods--the god of vanity, the god of materialism, the god of self, and the god of fleeting success. We need to be ever so careful to guard ourselves lest we become enslaved. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12 "They loved praise from men more than praise from God." John 12:43 "Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2 "But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives." 1 Timothy 5:6 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11 "How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise tha...

The soaps are so adorable! They are 100% natural cocoa butter soaps with no dyes, SLS, or SLES. I only use all natural fragrances in them.  The rubber ducky is reusable. :)  You can check them out and other soaps I make at my website... www.wiseleyusedherbs.weebly.com If you are looking for a unique gift for a child or anyone else, my soaps and lip balms are a great choice! All natural, simple, vegan, paraben free, dye free, SLS free, preservative free, and free of synthetic fragrances.  Try some today! :)

I am sure we have all been guilty of it at one time or another, but it seems to have become an epidemic.  I  have seen so many women treat their husband as if they were stupid, lower than them, just there for a paycheck, or treating as if they were one of their children.  I have seen t-shirts worn that say "I'm the boss because my wife lets me be" or "Mommy's the boss because daddy let her be"  I saw both of those t-shirts this weekend.  I was a little shocked to see those. We women are not to be the leaders of our home.  That is not how God directed it.  He put our husband in charge to be head of the house and to be the leader of the home.  He did not put us wives to be bosses of our husbands.  He created us to be helpmeets, to help our husband run our household, to be his support, and to respect him.  I have witnessed wives undermining their husband in front of others such as with disciplining children. The husband will say one th...

Hoopty. :) Or beater, clunker, whichever you'd like to say. ;)  It is a 96 Burgundy Mazda MVP.  My little red Nissan's transmission went out and had to junk her.  I'll miss my little red. :)  I'm moving up in years on the cars lol.  My Nissan was a 91 and this one is a 96.  Seems to be ok. We are headed to St. Louis tomorrow to go to the zoo with our small group.  I am excited to spend the day with friends and family. I know Hunter will enjoy taking pictures of the animals (and maybe some of us lol) It has been a LONG week and I am exhausted from all the vehicle drama and then searching for another one. I hope to sleep good tonight. :)

This one is "The Outlaw" :)  It has a blend of cedarwood and sage essential oils and is a great soap for men. High Seas is another soap for men. :)  This one has natural kelp essential oil in it. Double Chocolate Bliss is so yummy. :) And I also have four kinds of all natural lip balms. Wild Strawberry, Berry Lemonade, Cool Peppermint, and Summer Honey. :)  You can find these and more on my website.  Click on it on my sidebar and join my facebook page for updates about different soaps. :)

Nothing can compare in beauty, and wonder, and admirableness, and divinity itself, to the silent work in obscure dwellings of faithful women bringing their children to honor and virtue and piety. -Henry Ward Beecher ~From A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Not one that I fancied, let me tell you. :)  My old car broke down on a bridge today. It was going and just slipped out of gear and acted like it was in neutral, but wasn't.  It wouldn't go into any gear.  So, I had to push the car down the road farther to get it off the bridge and onto the side of the road.  Hunter steered. (I tried to have him push, but he wasn't strong enough) I pushed and pushed that car down the road and people drove by me not offering to help.  I was kinda shocked.  But, finally after I pushed it almost all the way down the road (puff, puff, cough, chest burning) a teenager stopped to help me push it the rest of the way. My husband is at work on a roof somewhere and I have no contact to him.  I called our good friend, Travis, and he came and picked us up and took us home.  I'm glad I had him to call.  He is our go to person when my husband can't be contacted. I appreciate him being able to come to our rescue. But, it ...

If five frogs are sitting on a log and one decides to jump off, how many frogs are left?  The answer, five.  Deciding to do something and actually doing it are two different things... What have you decided to do for God (that you know He has asked of you), but are too afraid to jump off the log and instead are still sitting on the log with the decision? Our actions reflect our faith and obedience.  Faith requires action.  You cannot simply have faith and continue in an intimate relationship with God.  He requires action to back up that faith.  You cannot go with God and stay where you are at the same time.  I encourage you to "jump off the log" and let your actions reflect your decision.  Don't just sit there... do something for God.  He is waiting for you to act on your faith....