Nature's Beauty

We are Blessed with Nature's Beauty in my neck of the woods.For that we are so Thankful!

We know how Blessed we are and try to respect Mama Earth! We try hard to reuse, reduce,recycle everything we can.

We've been housed up the past few days due to rain. And a cold front moved in.After tonight we are to warm up again , and I can't wait to get outdoors and play in the dirt again!:o)

I can't believe how quickly the trees are putting on their leaves, flowers, shrubs , etc. blooming.

We are suppose to get more rain this wk. "IF" it bypasses us we have our outdoor work cut out for us!

I hope you take time to enjoy the Beauty you have been BLESSED with!

Hope everyone has a great wk.

Blessins',Lib

Earth Hour

Just a reminder tonight is Earth Hr. 8:30. Turn off your lights and join in some fun around oil lamp or candle light. It's only for 1 hour, so we can can do it.:o)

Hope everyone has a Great day.

Blessins',Lib

Spring's Beauty

A Big Happy Birthday Wish Goes out to Peggy over a Hidden Haven Homestead!

I Love this time of year. Alot more work ,but so worth it to see all the beauty of Nature after a long winter's nap.I Love fresh cut flowers I use them inside as well as outdoors in setting area's, such as this one.

It's outdoors again today to work. What are you doing today? What ever it is I wish you a day filled with sunshine,flowers,and Love!

Blessins',Lib

Spring Has Sprung!

In my Neck of the woods ,Spring is a Beautiful Season. The trees are putting on their leaves, spring flowers are blooming.Birds singing, They are flocking in to eat at the feeders.We're eating most meals outdoors, and having a fire in the fire pit each night. I Love this time of the year.

This morning as I hung the laundry on the line ,I took my time outdoors enjoying the Beauty Nature has to offer.I'm just about finished with indoor chores, then we will head out doors to do more pruning and outdoor chores.NO need for a gym around here.

Hope you take time today to enjoy the Beauty around you!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Blessins',Lib

Simple Day

After 2 days of outdoors work ,and rain on its way ,this will be a simple laid back day.

Our "Little Shadow" is with us. She had fun yesterday outside. After we finished working we took 2 hikes, pulled her in the little red wagon, roasted hotdogs and marshmallow's, and ate outdoors. We picked these flowers, an Aunt planted the flower bulbs, Mom planted the bridal bush.3 Generations in 1 bouquet.Little Shadow is the 6th Generation here, this time of yr. my mind wonders back through the generations before me ,I wonder if they'd be Pleased at how we are carrying on here,with work they started etc. sometimes I think I was born 100 yrs. too late.:o)Springtime has always been a busy season here, preparing earth for gardens, planting.etc.

Spring is my favorite season, rebirth of everything.

All the inside chores are finished for the day, so it's time to head out doors to rock, sip a cup a.....watch the birds eat , cats play, wildlife come in and eat. Enjoy playing with Little Shadow .

Want you join me for a cup a...?

HAve a great day!

Blessins',Lib

Sunrise

After several days of rain, we have abeautiful morning filled with sunshine.
The sun came up over the mtns. and filled my Private Paradise with beauty. We have some fog but want take long for the sun to burn it off.
Yesterday was a beautiful day. We mowed the yard, cleaned the porch and porch furniture now it is Spring/summer ready ,for rocking and sipping a cup a....... , having cookouts ,all sorts of outdoor fun.
Last night we had a fire in the fire pit , it was wonderful to be outdoors enjoying Nature's beauty.
Hope you get outdoors today and enjoy the beauty!
Have a great day!
Blessins',Lib

More Great Books

Here's 3 more good books I Love and Use often! I can the Old Fashion way ,Water Bath its loaded with water bath recipes.

Stocking Up III by Carol Hupping and the staff of the Rodale Food Center, its loaded with great info ,Raising fruit and veggies, Canning, freezing,drying,Underground storage and how to build,Storing dairy,making butter,cheese,yogurt,ice cream. Meats,Poultry fish,sprouting etc.etc.

It's one of the best books I've ever bought.

The Victory Garden Cookbook by Marian Morash. It is a great cookbook starts with A veggies goes through Z. My Mom bought it for me yrs. ago . I collect cookbook's and this is a Great one.

We've had rain for the past several days.Its moving on out. I'm ready for sunshine ans Playing in the dirt.:o) I Love spring!

Hope everyone has a Great week!

Blessins',Lib

Faith,Books,and Hope

I think these days everyone is concerned ,and should be! The past few days I've been busy stockpiling and reading up on some favorite books, these are just a few. I read my Bible daily Good or Bad times. I find it uplifting, and I know God will see us through. He says he will provide our needs, not our Wants or Greeds. I think we must do our part also.

I bought Carla Emery's book The Encyclopedia of Country Living, some yrs. back.It is Loaded with lots of valueable info. I bought The Kerr cookbook yrs. ago .I have other canning cookbooks that are great also.

We have our share of stress ,I was raised here and taught how to live off the land ,I know these ways and Love living them. My "Little Shadow" is the 6th Generation here and I am teaching her our ways. She is 3 now and Loves helping and learning, I think you have to make learning fun .Kids Love to garden sowing carrots is fun for them, also a pizza garden toms., herbs you would use on a pizza those type plants. If you have room a circle shape garden with plant planted into a slice of pizza is really fun. Just takes a sm. space. I think kids enjoys flower beds(gardening) also. Who doesn't Love fresh cut flowers.:o)Also canning is a fun way for kids to learn ,helping break beans etc. depends on their age as to what they can do. We have a little friends who has stayed with us durning the yrs. she is 12 and I Love to see her excitiment when we cook and serve foods she's helped can.

I was shocked to hear kids when ask where does a certain food come from and they give a grocery store name. I know its how we're raise, I didn't realize food could be bought in a tin can until I was an older child ,I thought it was all in a jar.lol

When I was a kid we ate alot of wild life or butchered our own meat. I've never been much of a meat eater ,never cared for the taste but was taught how to clean fish, chickens etc. We can buy a beef or hog and have it butchered. DS is a Meatcutter.I know to some of you that may sound "GROSS" but when it's a way of life you do it or do without.

I was taught to make my own cleaning products. That was L-O-N-G before Living green was the thing to do. I was taught how to cook over an open fire, As a kid I gathered wild greens with my Grandmother,(also Mom) some sweet memories and so Thankful they took time to teach me so much . They taught me how to use recipes to feed my Family example water gravy, bis.,cornbread (use water instead of milk) Its not something you'd make daily unless you had no choice.

They taught me to sew,mend,be saving.Waste Not want not. So much more they taught me.

I think in times like this if we put our Faith in God, do our part, read books and learn as much as possible , or find someone willing to teach, there is "HOPE" and This too shall pass!

I don't know it all, there's alot I want to learn, DH will be laid off 1 yr. next month. And All our needs has been meet this last yr. .For that we are VERY THANKFUL!:o)

Hope everyone has a Great week end.

Keep your Faith and Hope and things will turn around !

Blessins',Lib

Simple Life

I am so Thankful we Love living The Simple side of life. Life is more laid back, less stress, you have time to do what you really want to do from day to day. Enjoy each moment to the fullest!I know this lifestyle is not for everyone but for us it's the best life! "The Good Life"

Through out the years ,we have friends who call and come out to destress and relax,and Love it here. We also have friends who tells us your lifestyle is not for me. I couldn't handle the quiteness of where you live.We only live a mile off the main Hwy. and 1/2 mile from the city limits but so private some people on our St. doesn't even know we're here. We've even had a few tell us "If I ever won the Lottery, I'd move ya'll to the city" lol Often we wondered why can't they see the Love we share for each other , and the Joy a Simple life brings us. We also know our choice to live The Simple Life is NOT for everyone.

Now that the economy has made a turn for the worse , some of these same friends has come to us for advice on how to start living a more simple life. I would never try to force our Lifestyle on anyone. You have to have a Love and desire to live simple, what works for one doesn't work for everyone. To us it gives us freedom to do what we want, it's less stressful, you don't have to keep up with anyone ,just live life as you really want it. I know what goes into all our food ,I make my cleaning products and know I'm not using harmful supplies and know whats in each one. Etc. We recycle, reuse. Its been a way of life even before we knew about recycling and reusing.

We are human and have our share of troubles and trials ,but we wouldn't trade our way of life .We Love living here where gens. before me lived off this land. And a new gen. coming up learning our way of life.

Do you live the Simple life? What do you enjoy about it?

I hope ya'll have a great day!

Blessins',Lib

Budget Meals

With the economy most folks are looking for ways to save money ,or to feed the Family for less.

One way to feed your Family for less is meatless meals. I do most of my cooking from scratch which saves a great deal on the budget. Beans are a good meat sub.have 1 or 2 meatless meals per wk. This is a meal of beans, pots. with onion,turnips, cornbread/bis.What my Family likes may not be the same yours like. It's never a good idea to cook something your Family doesn't like it. We grow or buy from Famers alot of our food.I can,dry, or freeze alot of our food. That helps a great deal. I stockpile which works well for us.I know its not for everyone. You can Google for ideas on what to fill your pantry with,what works for one doesn't work for all, you have to find what would work for your Family.

Another budget meal is to have breakfast for supper. Buy whats on sale. You can google your local grocery store wkly. ads if you don't get your local news paper. Coupons are good ,I use them now and then but canning,freezing,stock piling and having a couple discount grocery stores I don't use them wkly. Buy store brands, buy enough for one meal to see if your Family likes it so you want have a big supply of something that want be eat. Pasta is a budget friendly meal I use alot of whole wheat pasta .Pots. is a good deal you can cook them so many different ways ,you don't feel your eating the same thing day after day.Try different recipes.Google for money saving recipes. Have a gal. size freezer bag in your freezer to but left overs once its full make a pot of soup.Grow as food as you can, Know your local prices as much as possible so you will know if you're getting a good buy.Shop once a wk. not 2 or 3 times per wk. Google or check out frugal blogs for ideas.

Google for recipes for mixes (pancake etc.) When shopping make a list and stick to it, don't shop when hungry. Cook enough for 2 meals freeze one. Keep your pantry, fridge, freezer organized. Watch very careful for fridge waste ,use up left overs before they go to waste. Unless you make yourself aware of fridge waste you will be shocked how much waste you can have. Cook from scratch .There's lots of great websites for recipes.

Make your cleaning supplies you will have more money left to put toward your food budget.

keep your kitchen clean, dishes washed daily , if your sink is full of dishes it will make it easier to say .Lets eat out. If you stockpile when you restock move all the food you already have moved to the front of your shelves and put the new food in the back so the dates want run out.

One thing I've learned to do with this economy if I find steaks on sale ,I cook them slice them up use for stir fry , or cook onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and serve on a bun. Chicken can be done this way. Buy a whole chicken bake, with left overs pulled it bbq it .

What are some ways you stretch your food budget? I would Love to hear your ideas.

Have a great day!

Blessins',Lib

Cookin'and Freezin'

It's a Beautiful morning here.Birds singing,open windows.Sippin' a cup a....... and cookin'.

DS has to be at work at 5:00 a.m. most mornings, I sure don't want to be up cooking at that time! lol I make homemade biscuits and cook pork chops, country ham, sausage, and bacon and put on biscuits and freeze.He pulls out the bis./meat he wants for breakfast puts cheese on it puts it in the mirco heats, grabs his packed lunch out of the fridge and out the door.It works well here.

Southern Light Biscuits

2c.self-risisng flour

1/4c shortening chilled

3/4c buttermilk

Heat oven to 500

Cut in shortening with pastry blender until lumps are the size of peas

Blend in milk,stir with pastery blender until dough leaves sides of bowl

Turn dough onto lighlty floured surface Knead gently 2-3 times

Roll out dough 1/2 in. thickCut using 2 in. bis. cutter

Place on baking sheet

Bake 8-10 mins.or until golden brown,

Makes 12 2 in. bis.

I brush mine with melted butter before baking ,makes them golden brown

If you want garlic biscuits ,add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

once baked combine 1/4 c. melted butter 1/4 tsp. garlic powder,brush over bis.

These are not low fat but oh so good!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Blessins',Lib

Spring Is In The Air

I love this time of year.Spring is around the corner,Mama Earth is waking up from a long winter's nap.One of the first signs of Spring here is when these flowers start to bloom.
Our "Little Shadow" is the 6th Generations now to pick them. Yesterday while I was cooking dinner (Lunch) DH and "Shadow" was outside, the next thing I knew she came in with her hands behind her back telling me"I have a prize for you" they had picked these flowers.:o)
My Dad always picked Mom's first springfresh cut flower's from these flowers.My Generation back picked them and took them to the Farmer's Market to sell ,as well as fresh veggies,eggs,etc..When I grew up here we lived off the land as the Generations before me.
Living Green has always been away of life here, even before we knew what living Green was.
Today we are suppose to be in the 70's. I know its still winter and our temps change fast,for today we will enjoy the nice tease of Spring .All inside Spring Cleaning is finished, its time to start preparing outdoors.There's nothing like playing in the dirt and hoping Mama Earth works with you for a Great Bounty.
Hope you are enjoying Spring like temps.
Have a Great day!
Blessins',Lib

Thankful Thursday

Hope everyone is having a Great day! I need to get the camera out and get some pics. made.For now the pics. are from all posters.
With times being so tough ,I like to set aside time each day and reflect on things I am Thankful for.
Here's a few things I am Thankful for:
My Salvation, A Loving Home, A Peaceful Home, a Loving Church Family, Friends,Living the Simple Life, No Mortg. payments,
Living on property thats been in my Family for 5 Gens., My tap root runs deep:o), that I can work here at my own pace,work a little rest alot and sip a cup a........., To have my spring cleaning behind me, to set on the porch sipping a cup a in warm weather watching wildlife at play,no traffic to deal with,just quite laid back relaxing days, a full pantry, knowing how to cook from scratch,sewing, gardening,knowing how to can,freeze,dry our food so my Family want go hungry, picnics,watching the sunrise over the mtn. and filling our Private Paradise with its beauty.I could go on and on.
With all the bad news we hear from day to day,just take time out of your busy day and have quite time to stop and reflect on what you are Thankful for.It will make your day go better,and Our Blessings alway out numbers the bad news!
Have a great day!
Blessins',Lib

Spring Cleaning

I am up and running again.:o) I haven't been posting, been too busy cleaning.
With DH still out of work , we have been getting a jump start on Spring. We have been spring cleaning our Home.We've had several storms come through this winter and have several trees down around the Homestead.Once the weather warms up enough to do outdoor chores,we have our work cut out for us! We will cut, stack, and burn the wood.

We only have a few more things to do inside .DH has been a Great help!:o) I am so Thankful to get it behind us:o)

After tomorrow we should be able to slow down ,enjoy the simple life and sip a cup a.... Altho we do take many breaks and enjoy a cup a and enjoy each other's company and the day.

I am doing another major decluttering,altho I have to admit I haven't been bringing items into the home for the past 15 mons. so I have accomplished that goal, only needful things and no wants, it has helped a great deal. I've been sharing Family Treasures with the next Generation under me.I've saved 5 Generations of Family Treasures to share Someday ,well........Someday has come.lol

Last yr. we stockpiled for a yr. we had never stocked piled for 12 months , we did quite well and just now need to restock. Once restocking it takes some time and effort to moved old to front of shelves and new to the back, but well worth it. I've been cooking some old Family and found recipes .SO far all I've tried has been a hit.

I have all my craft supplies organized in clear totes (easy to find for projects) I shared alot of supplies, and down sized supplies also.

I hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to a new season "Spring", spring is my favorite season, the rebirth of everything.

Blessins',Lib