Prairie Oak Homestead

We went from 80 something degrees Thursday to just barely 50 yesterday.  We started a fire in the woodstove yesterday, so it must be fall. :) This morning my husband had to leave early to help someone with a roof, and he got the fire going before he left. It feels sooo good to wake up to a nice, warm fire :) That kind of heat is the best heat. I had a rough couple days this past week that had me discouraged. I was in a ton of pain and I didn't know why. It was the most pain I had been in in 6 mos. But, thankfully it only lasted 2 days. I am feeling back to my "new" self again. :) Hunter joined CAP (Civil Air Patrol). It's a program through the Air Force. I can't believe the opportunities they have for kids. It's awesome. He can even get his pilots license for a minimal cost. They go on missions for downed aircraft and all sorts of cool stuff.  If you have kids, check out their website. They have CAPs all over the country. Still studying hard. Still get...

 My how time is just flying.... October is here. It is a month that is full of good stuff. :) My husband goes to Haiti this month, our 16 yr anniversary is this month (hubby will be gone in Haiti), my 37th birthday is this month, and our fall festival. Today starts our back to homeschooling full force. I am looking forward to it. :) Tomorrow night, we have a meeting for the Civil Air Patrol. Oh and I almost forgot, this evening we have a meeting to see if we want to join a shooting team. Depends on expense :) We have a couple college fairs to go to this month for Hunter. It's just gonna be a busy month. :) Oh and I almost forgot something else. It's hunting season! I enjoy October. It's probably one of my favorite months. I hope to slow down enough to enjoy it. School is keeping me very busy. I am continuing to do well with straight A's. I am loving it. I think I will do a lot of baking and sipping of apple cider....:) Ahhhh.... Follow @titus2baker

I am loving school so far...except for that scary 1400 word research paper I have to do lol. I have a week to finish each module and so far it takes me 3 days. I'm ok with that. It lets me have time to do things around the house still. :) It helps that I have most all day to dedicate to school, so I finish faster. I have gotten all A's on my exams so far. :) Today is Hunter's last day of public school. We (Hunter and us) have decided to continue to homeschool. He has gotten A's and B's so far, but it has become quite a bit more difficult to concentrate in the noisy, uncontrolled atmosphere. He learns much better at home and has a lot more opportunities available. He will be doing Civil Air Patrol, also. He will be taking college level courses for some of his classes this year and then next year, he will be able to take some that count for college credit. We are glad about that. He is glad to be coming back to Cornerstone Academy (our homeschool name) and be in his...

Just like cinnamon rolls, but with a few add-ins like pumpkin, maple syrup and nutmeg! Delicious fresh and warm out of the oven and perfect for fall! Ingredients FOR THE ROLLS: 1 package   (2 1/2 Teaspoons In A Package) Active Dry Yeast ½ cups   Warm Water ½ cups   Warm Milk ¼ cups   Melted Butter, Cooled ⅔ cups   Granulated Sugar For The Dough, Plus 1/4 Teaspoon For Proofing Yeast 1 teaspoon   Salt ¾ cups   Pumpkin Puree 6 cups   All Purpose Flour (give Or Take 1 Cup) _____ FOR THE FILLING: ¼ cups   Maple Syrup 2 Tablespoons   Melted Butter ¾ cups   Brown Sugar 2 Tablespoons   Cinnamon ½ teaspoons   Nutmeg - Optional _____ FOR THE GLAZE: 2 cups   Powdered Sugar ¼ teaspoons   Vanilla Extract ¾ teaspoons   Maple Flavoring Or Extract 3 Tablespoons   Milk Prepar...

I was poking around the kitchen today and did it feel good! I missed it. I made some apple cider donuts this morning and they were yummy! Felt good to be able to do some baking again. I am pretty tired now, but it was worth it. :)  I am hoping to make some cornbread tonight to go with supper. I froze some Italian sausage soup before my hospital visit and look forward to having that tonight. Mmmm. :) My husband is watching me like a hawk and won't let me do too much. He is off today due to the rain so I can't even fib. ;) I go to the neurologist on Wednesday to discuss my last treatment option. (small dose chemo called Cellcept to work as immunosuppression.) Need to find out if I can take it or not due to having Chronic Espstein-Barr Virus and not tolerating it in the past. We will see. It's really in God's hands. Either way, I am learning to be content with poor working limbs, trouble getting breath, and exhaustion. God provided me with enough strength today to make d...

I love days like these...relaxing. My husband has been making me relax since I've been home from the hospital. Tomorrow I will start back in the kitchen again baking and cooking meals...my favorite thing to do for my family. :) Apple cider donuts and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies will be coming out of the kitchen this week Lord willing. The weather is getting dreary again and it's been woodstove weather. I love our woodstove. It keeps us nice and warm in any frigid temperature. It smells so cozy when the oaks burns inside. Simple pleasures. I've loved watching our kittens chase after leaves on the deck. So cute...for now, until they find homes. ;) My chickens rustle up the leaves searching for that last treat of any bugs they can find before the snow flies. They are fun to watch and love the blessing of fresh eggs. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to make a home. I love being a keeper at home and providing a warm, cozy, safe, place for my family to reside ...

  On the above map, you will see Caracas, that is where we are flying into. We will fly from Chicago to Mexico City and have a longgggg layover and then off to Caracas. After we land we have a 3 hour drive to where we will be working. Please pray for strength, that it will go smoothly, and my sanity lol. We will be working on building a structure for the people to worship in as right now they worship outside with no shelter. I will be doing the very best I can. My disease is still acting up pretty good, but I trust He will get me through and teach me many things while there. Even if I can only hand someone a tool, I will be blessed to do so. It seems like I will never remember everything I need to take to Venezuela. Those of you that know me, know I can be a bit scattered. Yes, I made a list...but how do I know if I wrote everything down I need to take? ;)  I did some sewing (whew, getting harder and harder) so I would have some shorts to take with me, trying to get things...

We spent some time at the pumpkin patch on Saturday. It was soooo nice out! Beautiful weather. We walked around and looked at all the different varieties of pumpkins and squash. Ryan didn't seem to be too interested...lol. Hunter, my little photographer, enjoyed taking some pictures. He took some great shots and will be entering some of them into a photo contest this week. He is getting so big..or should I say long/tall. :) I enjoy spending time with family. The only thing we are going to have in Heaven that is from the earth is our relationships/people. We need to invest in them. Looking forward to this Sunday when we leave for Venezuela. I will miss Hunter as he cannot come with us, but will enjoy serving with my husband in a country we have never been. I hope you all have a wonderful day and remember some things never change.

I got this from Tasty Kitchen and I wanted to share it because it was the BEST soup I have ever made my family. It was so flavorful! Very, very good! Recipe Description A hearty chowder to warm you up on a chilly day. If you like spicy food, be sure to use hot Italian sausage, but it is just as delicious with sweet Italian sausage. Preparation Instructions Cook sausage in a Dutch oven over medium heat until browned. Remove sausage from Dutch oven and set aside. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add onion and saute 3-4 minutes until tender. Add garlic and saute another minute. Add flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and half-and-half. Bring to a simmer. Add thyme, basil, marjoram, oregano and red pepper flakes. Add red pepper, celery, carrot and potatoes. Return the sausage to the Dutch oven. Continue simmering for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Add...

Yesterday was my husband's birthday and I cooked one of his favorite meals. Stuffed acorn squash. These were pretty ones that I picked up at the farmer's market. I like them better than the green skinned ones. :) I simply cut them in half and seed them. Put them in the microwave cut side down for 5 to 7 min until tender. Take out and put on cookie sheet. Stuff with cooked sausage of your choice. I use a natural sausage and add a bit of real maple syrup to it. Sprinkle the flesh of the squash with salt and pepper and pop in a 350 degree oven for about 30 min or so. Take out and enjoy!

These come from Tasty Kitchen. I am hoping to make these this weekend! Yum! Of course, mine will be gluten free. :) One of my new favorite pumpkin recipes, just in time for fall! Ingredients FOR THE CRUST: 16 whole   Original Oreo Cookies (mine are gluten free) 4 Tablespoons   Butter, Melted FOR THE FILLING: 8 ounces, weight   Cream Cheese, softened ¾ cups   Plain Pumpkin Puree ½ cups   Granulated Sugar ½ teaspoons   Vanilla Extract ¼ teaspoons   Ground Cinnamon ⅛ teaspoons   Ground Nutmeg FOR THE CREAM: ½ cups   Heavy Cream 3 Tablespoons   Granulated Sugar ¼ teaspoons   Vanilla Extract Chopped And Toasted Walnuts, For Garnish (optional) Preparation Instructions For the crust, in a food processor, grind Oreo cookies. Pour in melted butter and pulse to mix. Spoon mixture into 4 individual tart pans (mine were 4 inches x 1/2 inch) and press mixture down and up the sides of...

The neurologist called yesterday to inform me that I DON'T have another muscle disease. My current one is progressing as we thought. I will have to start treatment when we get back from Venezuela. I will do as much as I can there. I'm looking forward to God using me regardless... I will listen to my husband while we are there and slow down when he tells me to. Frankly, I don't think slowing down will be a problem as my muscles are so much weaker and even typing this post is difficult. I made my last batch of soap for the business yesterday. Bittersweet. It was a hard day of soap making, making lip balms, salves, cutting soap, labeling products, etc. I am so exhausted this morning. I will be glad when I can rest.  It is so difficult to do the normal chores around here. Last night I realized that I took slicing a pizza for granted... The other day my husband said to me, "I know this disease will eventually beat you physically, but I don't ever want it to beat y...

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.  H...

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 ...

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 time...

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. :)

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 da...

1 2/3 c gluten free flour blend 3/4 t baking powder 1 t baking soda 3/4 t salt 1 t pumpkin spice 1/2 t cinnamon 1/2 c canola oil 1/4 c brown sugar 1/2 c white sugar (I use natural raw sugar) 2 eggs 1 c pumpkin 1/3 c water 1 t vanillla 1 c dark chocolate chips (I use Ghiradella dark) Mix wet ingredients and add dry. Stir in chips.  Bake in 9 x 5 pan at 350 for 60-70 min or until toothpick comes out clean.  This was yummy!

I'm feeling fairly well this morning and I am going to do some baking! :)  I still can't drive yet and the captain hasn't been to the store this week, so I wasn't able to get any blueberries.  I was really wanting to make some blueberry muffins because I just had a hankerin' for them.  So, instead, I'm going to make chocolate chip pumpkin bread.  I have what I need for it and it's fall after all. :)  If it turns out good I'll post a picture and a recipe. :) It was really nice to get out of the house yesterday.  It seemed strange at first, all the noises, people, etc, but I quickly got used to it again.  I am excited to get back to church Sunday after missing a couple.  It will be nice to worship with fellow believers again.  It's also my birthday that day...:) Here is a piece from the book "Streams in the Desert" that I liked today... "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Malachi 3:3 "The old refiner neve...

I am having less pain today. :) Yay!  My energy level has been pretty good this whole time, which makes it harder to rest and not do anything.  But, my husband has been very adamant about me healing properly and won't let me do anything (not supposed to yet)  I'm glad for his patience and help during this time. :) The weather lately has been just beautiful! It is going to be 80 again today.  I'll take that for now. :)  There was a pretty mist in the field again this morning.  It's a still morning and very peaceful... It's been interesting the different countries that stop by my blog...The UK, Botswana, Estonia, Australia, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil, just to mention a few, along with all over the US. :)  It's neat to be able to reach so many different people with a blog. :) God has been very gracious to me.  He has allowed me to encourage others with my life experiences.  He is an awesome God who has comforted me during so many hurtfu...