Prairie Oak Homestead

Feminine Fridays are new here at Bakinghomesteader. Every Friday I will post a pic of an outfit that is feminine or a pic of something I find out and about that I feel is feminine. :) Here is this weeks pic.  The reality of my MG and my tiredness :) I got a new haircut which I like. (pictured in this pic) One of our pastors sisters cut it for me. She thinned it and it's so much lighter. I have such heavy thick hair. She cut quite a bit off, too. (I wanted her to)  Here is a picture from my Homemakers and Homesteaders  page after she did it. She straightened it that day. :) Seems everyone liked it. ;) I pray you all have a blessed weekend. If you haven't "liked" my Homemakers and Homesteaders page yet, head on over for great tips on homemaking, baking, homesteading, etc. :) Pin It

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  The Quilt Holes As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that was our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Fin...

This great post comes from a pin I found on Pinterest. (don't ya just LOVE Pinterest!) :) I love making my own granola bars and these are even better because you don't have to use the oven! These are reposted from Laura's Latest. I hope you enjoy them!  No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars {easy & healthy!} Hello Friday. Boy have I missed you. Guys, I have found THE BEST and easiest way to make granola bars on this sweet planet earth. I found a link on Pinterest to a recipe that had been adapted from Rachael Ray. So, I followed the trail along and found the original recipe….which I then adapted myself {you must have seen that coming…} to be healthier and to use what I had in my cupboards. Pretty darn simple granola bars AND amazingly delicious. I was seriously shocked at how well these turned out for 3 minutes of work. Literally 3 minutes . If you have kids make these ! Heck, even if you don’t, make ‘em anyways. They are great snacks or fast breakfasts. Here...

Click on the pics to find out more. Source: reddit.com via Stephanie on Pinterest Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Stephanie on Pinterest Source: flickr.com via Stephanie on Pinterest Source: tiffkeetch.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest Source: inmyownstyle.com via Stephanie on Pinterest Source: catchmyparty.com via Stephanie on Pinterest Hope you enjoyed those! Pin It

The other day, I saw my "dad" out and about. He didn't see us. We were running errands as my husband was off due to the weather. Hope things are going well for him.  We sure miss him and wish things would have turned out different. My son and husband are at a Iron Sharpens Iron conference today.  I am praying that those two make some good memories together today. Hunter is growing up so fast. It seems just yesterday he was a tiny little guy... Short post today as I am pretty tired. Got the day to myself to rest and maybe thrift shop. ;)  I pray you all enjoy your Saturday. Pin It

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"Headship is the divine calling of a husband to take primary responsibility for Christ-like, servant leadership, protection and provision in the home. Submission is the divine calling of a wife to honor and affirm her husband's leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts." John Piper Read that several times through and really let it soak in.  Pin It

 I was so blessed to attend Hearts at Home and listen to the Duggars speak. It was so refreshing to hear. They spoke about training their children and not neglecting your husband. They talked about getting the Word into their hearts, teach them to fight (evil) with scripture, to focus on one character quality a month, to smile, to make sure your kids know what you expect of them, be joyful and meek. She talked about husbands and wives not teasing each other, but instead to build each other up. Be realistic...when our expectations are too high and are not realistic, frustration breeds. She also said no silent treatment, but instead to pray together :) (she said that one was hard lol) And lastly she talked about not neglecting your husband even if you are tired and just want to sleep. She said that we as wives are the only ones who can meet that particular need. It was just amazing.  I got to meet Jim Bob and shake his hand and thank him for their godly marriage example. I tol...

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This jewel comes from Streams in the Desert... "Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints" (Rev. 15:3). The following incident is related by Mrs. Charles Spurgeon, who was a great sufferer for more than a quarter of a century: "At the close of a dark and gloomy day, I lay resting on my couch as the deeper night drew on; and though all was bright within my cozy room, some of the external darkness seemed to have entered into my soul and obscured its spiritual vision. Vainly I tried to see the Hand which I knew held mine, and guided my fog-enveloped feet along a steep and slippery path of suffering. In sorrow of heart I asked, "'Why does my Lord thus deal with His child? Why does He so often send sharp and bitter pain to visit me? Why does He permit lingering weakness to hinder the sweet service I long to render to His poor servants?' "These fretful questions were quickl...

I wanted to share what we were up to yesterday here at the Wiseley Family Homestead. :) My husband put together this pallet compost bin. It's so easy to do and FREE. :)  Along with that, here is what I did yesterday...raked leaves, wheeled them to said compost bin, pruned the grape vines, pulled weeds, cut down dead irises from last year, and thinned out the blackberries. What's that? Sounds like too much for me to do? Well, you're right. :) I was completely wiped out last night, but it felt so good to get out and function on our homestead. I do realize I won't be doing that much at once again. I did sleep really well last night though. ;) My husband and son also did some work, but I did the most...don't tell them I said that. ;) My hands are a bit sore this morning, but mostly because I sliced my middle finger while pulling a weed. Right in the bend. Ouch. Other than some weakness in my neck and back, I feel pretty good this morning. Now don't go worry that...

These are absolutely fantastic!  I had tiny cinnamon chips from an Amish bulk store and wanted to use them up. I came up with this... 2 1/2 c almond flour (the flour I used is Honeyville almond flour) (the best almond flour!) 1/4 t salt 1/2 t baking soda 1/4 c cinnamon chips 1/8 c chopped hazelnuts 2 eggs 1/2 c yogurt (I used greek vanilla yogurt) 1/4 c maple syrup 1 t vanilla Mix wet and dry separate then mix them together by hand until blended. Fill muffin cups and sprinkle top with more cinnamon chips and hazelnuts. Bake at 325 for 15-18 min.  Super yummy! Pin It

The end. :) Pin It

For the cake 1/2 c coconut flour 1T arrowroot powder 1/4 t salt 1/2 t baking soda 4 eggs 1/2 c agave nectar 1T vanilla Mix dry and wet separate and then beat together with a mixer. Pour into 8x8 pan and bake 30 min For the icing 3 strawberries 1 stick of butter 1/2 t vanilla 3-4 c powdered sugar 1 T cream Puree strawberries and add to mixer and beat until well mix Pin It

 Unfortunately, the medicine I was started on for my Rheumatoid Arthritis has caused a reaction--itchy, small rash, etc. so I had to stop taking it. I cannot take most of the other treatments for RA, so we decided to go natural and try that. With conventional medicine or natural, RA will still be there. It's getting the inflammation to stay at bay. So, because I seem to react to most conventional medicine, I started using food grade DE (Diatomacous Earth) for my RA. If you've been around a farm at all you will know what that is. :) I used it for my chickens when I had them, dusted them and the coop and added it to their feed. I also use it for my dogs. I won't go into all the benefits of food grade DE, but I encourage you to google it (make sure it's food grade) and see what's great about it. It is 85% silica and that's what is beneficial for the RA. Instead of going to the health food store and buying silica to take, this is MUCH cheaper ($37 for 50 lbs) and I...

Does tv get in the way of you living your life? Does watching tv consume your time? Years ago, tv time was a treat in the evening when chores were done and families watched together for short periods. How does tv affect your families? Is it on all day or is it a treat? In the winter, tv is on more because my husband is laid off for the winter and he likes to watch it. But, I have noticed that it consumes a lot of our day and we don't do or get done the things we would like to. In the summer, the tv only comes on at night.  We are getting rid of our directv within the next month. I will be SO glad! It will cause us to consume less tv time and more time doing things and spending better time together as a family. :)  Here's to unplugging!   Will you join me? Pin It

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