Prairie Oak Homestead

We were blessed with lots of corn, so I canned it up :) I got 20 jars canned. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it to me. I got all the corn FREE. Along with garden work, I've still been studying. I'm not sure when exactly I will be taking my test for licensure, but hoping it's in Sept. I go in today for my second appt with the finance people here for my schooling. Registration deadline is Aug 1st, but I may get an extension. If not, I won't be able to start school until JANUARY (ugh) if they don't get this process finished soon enough. My husband has applied for a job with Ameren (a power company). He is hoping to get an interview. Could you please pray for that? If he doesn't get this, then he will be roofing the rest of his life and going into a partnership with his boss and another coworker. He has been roofing for 15 yrs and would like to do something different with Ameren. We are praying for God's will... I hope you all are well...

Good morning all!  How many of you are trying to have a gentle and quiet spirit? I am. I'm not always real good at it. I find when I'm tired or sore, I tend to be more sensitive and frustrated and that's when my voice is no longer calm.  I found myself apologizing to my son this morning for snapping at him. I'm a bit sleepy still, but that is no excuse.  Self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit. How do you all practice this? It's going to be really warm here today and I need to mow. I also need to do some planting. I love this time of year! Pin It

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...

It's a hot one already here in central Illinois. Chickens are running around this morning searching for bugs to eat before the sun gets to scorching. Then they rest under the pine tree in the dirt. :) I'm thankful that there is a least a bit of a breeze this morning. I know my husband will appreciate that being on the roof all day. Yesterday he didn't get home until after 7. 12 hours on a roof in this heat is miserable. He is such a hard worker and great provider. Making soap today and most of this month to be ready for the holidays. I don't want to be overwhelmed when they roll around. :) Grocery shopping yesterday almost had me in tears. I went over budget due to price increases. It's just crazy.  I told my husband last night that we may not be able to eat as clean as we'd like to and he said he'd sell a kidney first that we weren't compromising our health. Wow...So we will watch our budget close and we may need to increase it a bit to stay on th...

My knee has been feeling better the last few days. :) I guess 12 days on crutches helped. ;) I am able to walk around with just a brace and no crutches. Whew...makes life so much easier. :) I am trying not to overdo it so it doesn't relapse. We surprisingly got more broccoli from the garden. It's been so hot here I didn't think it would still grow, but it is. :) Our tomatoes are finally coming on and now just need to get bigger and turn red. I'm so thankful for what we have gotten out of our garden. I dream of someday having a big garden again, but we will see. I think I will try and go shopping next week for Venezuela. I need some work clothes and I am on short supply of shorts and t-shirts. I've just been putting it off...I can't wait to experience what God has in store for me and my husband. This trip will be a blessing to us both. I've ordered all of Hunter's books he will need for his upcoming school year. I still can't believe he is an 8t...

I've got lots of things to accomplish today while on crutches. I need to make soap, make granola, can up some dilly beans, and mow later tonight. I obviously won't be using my crutches to mow. So thankful for the old Dixon zero turn. I will try and rest in between chores, but this place doesn't run itself. We have had a sly fox here twice trying to get my chickens and both times I save them. Hoping to permanently get rid of this fox soon. He's a fast little bugger.  He had a hold of one of my Cinnamon Queens a couple days ago and was taking off to the woods with her. I yelled and he dropped her and she came running back to the house. He showed up yesterday right next to our picnic table and our dog alerted us he was here. He didn't have time to get any chickens as I fired off a shot and he ran off. Keeping an eye out for him today! Hope you all have a blessed day today. :)

It is gorgeous outside this morning. The sun is shining and the temps are supposed to be mild today in the low 80's. :) I am thankful for these days... I got a new bible yesterday, it's a different version than I'm used to (ncv), but I like to read a different version every now and then. Chickens are laying well (a dz a day) and I enjoy watching the run around the yard. Our garden is doing ok. It's hard to get in it and weed with the rain we had and with my knee issue. I got a steroid shot in it a week ago and it was doing so well until today :( Back to being swollen again. It's really discouraging. I haven't been much for words lately. Really not much to say. I hope you all are doing well.

My beloved swallows were back yesterday. :) They flutter by me as I mow the yard....back and forth. They are so graceful in their flight. They look so free and happy. :)  Making more soap today after I go to my doctor's appt. I have to see her about the migraines I've been having. So far, they have stayed away for a couple weeks. She will give me something to take when I get one to help them go away. That will be great as they last 4-7 days. Getting things ready this week for the Saturday Produce Market here in town. It has gone well. :) I sell my soaps, lip balms, and bug repellent. It's fun. :) An herb store here in town called Mari-Mann Herbs has started carrying my soap. I'm pretty excited about that. :) I'd better get moving this morning...helping my husband put up trim boards and staining trim around a window.  :)  Hope you all have a great day!

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. :)

As I sit here and write this, there is a chicken "knocking" on the back door.  They have tricked me a few times....lol. I just thought I'd share that with you. ;) It was finally a nice day here in central Illinois.  I was able to get out and mow the yard and now it looks nice again. :)  The smell of the grass always makes me smile.  The swallows aren't out yet to flutter back and forth in front of me while I mow...they will be soon. :) I made some more soap this morning.  I am trying to get ready for the Produce Market that is coming up starting in June.  I will be there one or two times a month until October...come visit me if you are local. :) This weather, when it's nice, causes me to ponder family.  Spending time together outside, taking walks, having picnics, going on vacation somewhere, etc.  There are some family members that I just miss so much.  I'd love to talk to them again.  I hate missing out on their life... Well, I'd...

Yesterday we had a taste of spring...oh how wonderful it was!  I sat at our picnic table and read a book feeling the sunshine soak into my face.  The grass and trees are still a bit dreary, but I know that will change soon and I will be mowing again. :)  This morning is overcast AGAIN, but it's supposed to be around 70.  I will be cleaning out the chicken coop and getting that all tidy.  Those chickens are sooo funny!  Yesterday I gave them some leftover spaghetti noodles and they were hilarious running around the yard with those noodles hanging out of their mouth!  Good stuff...I will probably try and get my bird feeders all cleaned up, too.  Shucks, I might even get some of the old garden spot cleared of dead weeds.  Anything to be outside in the warmth (which I love by the way) I have another 4-H meeting tonight with the kids.  They will be shooting in the standing position.  Interested to see how they will do.  I thin...

It's been raining here since sometime last night...the temperatures are supposed to drop a bit tonight.  Ugh.  I was just getting used to some of the warmer days.  I don't much like rain when the ground is already very saturated and it makes the walk to the chicken coop horrible.  But, I know we need rain and every day cannot always be sunny. Going to be busy today.  I have to volunteer at the church, then the captain has a doctor's appt, and I have to ship an order out.  I'm going to the grocery store after that.  Then home to cook some supper.  Not sure what to have this week, but I need to get my menu made.  The great Husbandman is not always threshing. Trial is only for a season. The showers soon pass. Weeping may tarry only for the few hours of the short summer night; it must be gone at daybreak. Our light affliction is but for a moment. Trial is for a purpose, "If needs be." ~Streams in the Desert

Got some cleaning to do this morning.  Ryan is having company over and doesn't like anyone over if the house isn't just right.  I have some baking to do today, also.  Finally got some more gluten free flour the other day so I can accomplish that task. :)  The chicken coop is all cleaned, which was a tough task to do yesterday.  The mud was awful and trying to get the wheelbarrow through the slop proved to be difficult.  I ended up recruiting Hunter for help.  We got it done together.  It was nice seeing the chickens run around the yard again.  Can't wait for green grass so they can enjoy eating that again. Working on labels for my soap.  I will need to get some more paper and trying to decide just which color I want to do.  I have one in mind, but not sure if they sell that color.  I will have to check.  The soap will be ready in a week and I need to have them all labeled.  Fun stuff. :) We went shopping last ni...

Woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. :)  I love seeing fresh snow without any animal tracks in it.  Eventually, it's neat to see the animal tracks and to realize just how much "traffic" comes through your property. :) I slept much better last night, which felt really good.  Hard work makes for good sleep as they say.  I should be hearing back from the doctor's office today.  I am looking forward to hearing what they have to say and seeing what the next step is...I just want to feel better and I think when my breathing becomes normal, I will. Today would be a good day to stay home and be cozy, but the captain is taking me into town today for groceries.  We simply ran out of time yesterday.  Hunter has loaded the wood rack and the house has been staying nice and warm.  Ah, that word load...tis a good word. ;) In closing, can I encourage you to bless your husband today?  Ponder all the things he has sacrificed for your family....

Today starts Hunter back to homeschooling...it was a good vacation for him, but he's not ready to start back yet. ;)  It's time to take care of business and reset our routine.  I go into church today to volunteer for a bit.  This afternoon I have an appointment for pulmonary function tests.  I'll be glad to get those over with. When I return home, I have a lot of cleaning to do. I filled the sink with dishes yesterday and started them soaking and forgot all about them!  I've been pretty tired.  Today I'd like to do dishes, dust, vacuum, and mop.  I switched my grocery shopping days to Tuesday because Monday's were so hectic to me.  If you know me, you know I don't like hectic. ;)  Things should be slowing down now that the holidays are over. In the spring, I will be making soap.  I'm looking forward to making my own natural soap.  I will also be making natural lip balm. Things I use myself, but would love for it to come from my...

I haven't been sleeping well.  I just can't seem to rest.  I have so many things on my mind, so many people to pray for, and then there's that song that just won't leave my brain.  All this contributes to lack of sleep and pure exhaustion during the day.  I know it's God's strength that keeps me going.  I wouldn't be able to move one foot in front of the other right now if it weren't for Him. :)  It feels like everything is just a blur.  One week from today I will be having surgery, one that hopefully will change my life for the better.  I'm looking forward to all the benefits in the end. I've been struggling on how to deal with the pre-surgery jitters.  I normally would "displace" myself and just withdraw to another "place."  This is how I coped being sexually abused.  I was never "in" the moment.  When I am in excruciating pain, this is how I handle it.  I don't focus on it, but I "go somewhere else...

After 4 days of constant pain, my migraine has finally left the building. :)  Let's pray it doesn't come a knockin' again.  It left just in time, too.  I've got a lot to do this week.  I picked under 4 bushels of apples and need to get them taken care of.  Today, I need to go volunteer at church, go to the bank, the grocery store, and then make some cider.  Tomorrow I hope to get some applesauce canned.  And somewhere in the midst of today, I need to get my house back in order.  It wasn't touched all weekend and it's a deeeesaster... My goal this week is to continue in gentleness, but also, to be a "doer" of the word instead of just a "knower".  I want to apply more of God's word this week, such as, being content, not comparing myself to others, not being envious, and being quick to listen...I'm so glad He offers us grace.

It's good to be back home. I slept in my own bed last night and it was wonderful! :) I enjoyed the vacation, but didn't enjoy the big city. Not much of a city person. The captain and I feel like we need a vacation from our vacation. ;) Hunter enjoyed the buildings and seeing the arch, but didn't enjoy the traffic. It is really hot here again this week and I am concerned for my husband and his coworkers. As roofers they are more susceptible to heat exhaustion. I know they will take lots of breaks. Just praying they all have wisdom on these hot days. I'm trying to get back into the groove of daily life. I need to go to the grocery store today and get some laundry done. Sometime this week I'd like to get my schedule set for homeschooling. I went over the curriculum the other day and think Hunter will enjoy learning different things this year. I'll be ending each post with a way a wife can glorify her husband. Here's one for today.... Talk about h...

I slept better last night except for hoping my husband didn't wake up in the night with a leg cramp. He didn't. He got those out before we went to bed. He worked in a heat index of 112 yesterday from 7 am to 6 pm. Ugh. He's a roofer and so it was even hotter on the roof. He drank plenty of fluids during work and then when he got home, but that didn't prevent the leg cramps. It did prevent heat exhaustion though. I hope today is better. They may not work very late today because his boss found out that another worker stopped sweating yesterday and didn't tell anyone. Sheesh. This has been one of the hottest summers I can remember here in central Illinois. I continue to feel stronger now taking the natural immunomodulator. So glad it is working. Trying not to let the stress of my mom get to me. She is doing things that are hurtful and it saddens me that I have a mom who doesn't really care for her daughter. I'm just glad I have mom's in the ch...

It always interests me when I lose sleep even when I try not to. I woke up at 2 am and had a really hard time going back to sleep. My mind just wouldn't shut off. The captain and I were waiting for a text message to tell us what time we needed to meet for a meeting and never received it. We weren't sure if our messages when through or if their's got lost somewhere. He woke up this morning for work and told me there was no word yet. Not sure what happened there. I am going to make some pound cake today, probably lemon. :) I also need to pickle some beets and do some housework. I think I'll recruit Hunter to help with vacuuming. We are working on refreshing his math skills before we officially start homeschooling again in Sept. I'm looking forward to schooling him again this year. This will be 8 yrs of homeschooling this year. :) We made our hotel reservations for this weekend in Missouri. We are taking a mini family vacation. We will be going to Meramec ...