My Bluebirds on the Ground Report

    Hello and happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans!  

    I just wanted to share that Annabel kindly invited me to write a guest post on her blog, The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm.  She has readers from all over the world, and some have been giving reports of what is going on in their area, as well as preparedness measures they have been taking to stay ahead.  I feel so honored to be able to contribute!  I hope you'll visit her blog and look around.  It is such a wonderful source of homemaking and preparedness encouragement, and I really think Annabel has the ability to turn everything she touches into something beautiful!  

    My post is here.

    I have also added a subscription service to my blog on the sidebar (it can only be seen when viewing "web version") should you like to receive an email alert when I publish a post.  Otherwise, you can follow along through Blogger (also on the sidebar), or you can simply bookmark my blog and visit whenever you like.  All of these options are free for those who want to follow along.  I do appreciate all of my readers and your lovely comments, so thank you!

The Month in Review {February 2023}

    

    Our February was uncharacteristically warm this year.  We've all enjoyed the extra time outside and even had some open-window days.  Everything is coming to life after a sleepy winter.  Mountain laurel blooms give off such a strong, beautiful scent... 

    

 

{In the Garden}

    Gophers, gophers everywhere!  I haven't planted anything in the garden yet because I have to somehow get rid of the gophers first.  I had about 20 multiplying onions planted, and the gophers ate all but four.  Of my four big rosebushes, the gophers destroyed three.  I have one more climbing rose that is holding on, but it is nearly dug up daily by the dogs who are trying to get the gophers.  Just look!

    The dogs even bit off one of the main branches in all of their excitement.

    Colton buried some wire around the base of the bush and that has since kept the dogs from digging.  We also found gopher traps on clearance at Tractor Supply.   I have declared war.

{ In the Kitchen}

    I had intended to start my gut healing program this month, but after a lot of consideration, I am going to wait until school is out so that Colton can be home for it.  Delving into the course a little deeper, it looks like parts of it can be pretty intense.  With the allergy issues I've been having, I'd really rather not be alone when I introduce new foods and supplements into my diet, especially as potent as they are supposed to be. 

    I am still working my way through the pantry, using things up that need to be used and making more homemade snacks.  This month I made oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, and Rice Krispies treats.  I also made popcorn for snacks a few times.  Stored in a mason jar, popcorn will stay fresh for several days.

    Colton's grandpa celebrated his 92nd birthday this month!  Colton's dad picked him up from the nursing home for a little potluck party at his house.  Colton smoked a brisket and I baked a cake.  I would have taken pictures, but cake decorating is not my strong point- you would not have been impressed!

    I am continuing to save kitchen scraps for the dogs, chickens, and compost pile in an effort to save on feed and fertilizer.  Most scraps are what James leaves on his plate and that goes to the dogs, but vegetable trimmings or bad spots go to the chickens.  The compost pile gets egg shells and coffee grounds, paper filter and all.  I'm also trying to be less wasteful and use up or freeze things before they go bad.

{From my Bookshelf}

    I am trying to get back into the habit of reading.  It is something I really enjoy, but most often I only have snippets of time.  By evening, I can hardly keep my eyes open long enough to read more than a page or two!  So I am starting small and light.  I got out two of my back issues of Victoria magazine.  They are from February 2000 and 2001, but I feel that most of the styles are timeless.  Does it still count if I mostly just look at the pictures?

    I also picked up Mom Heart Moments by Sally Clarkson, which I received as a baby shower gift when I was pregnant with James.  It is in devotional format, each one only about half a page or so, making it perfect for when I am short on time.  I have mentioned my love of Sally Clarkson's writings before.  She is a highly gifted writer, especially in the areas of homemaking and motherhood.  This book will likely be on my nightstand all year as I work my way through it.  John made me the bookmark you see peeking out of the top.

{On my Craft Table}

    Yes, after an entire year, I am finally crafting again!  Working on my creative endeavors is so therapeutic, and I've missed it so much. 

    The first thing I made was a set of masculine cards and gift tags from a magazine my father-in-law passed on to me.  The magazine articles featured hunting in South Texas, so the pictures could not be more perfect.

    Another thing I did was cut out a bunch of lists and papers from unused sections of last year's planner.  I nearly tossed it until I remembered that we use every part of the buffalo in this household!  Now I have papers for notes, grocery lists, to do lists, etc.  Some of the lined paper with the pretty border will be used as letter writing stationery. 

    The last thing I made was a little work apron for John.  He likes to "help" Colton down at the shop, hammering nails, sawing boards, picking up screws, and other little boy things.  I used one of my old skirts and an old pair of Colton's overalls for the whole thing.  It has nice big pockets for all of John's tools.

       See the neck strap?  I just used the button placket from my skirt.  The overall buttons happily fit the holes.  I love when things come together like that!

{Ways I Saved}

    I did more thrifting and Colton is entirely to blame!  Just kidding.  He is just so kind and obliging when we go out of town to take me to all of the thrift stores,  I'm not going to object.  I found some goodies...

    The plaid fabric above is a tablecloth that I will turn into napkins.  I think it looks very fall-ish, so the napkins will become practical, seasonal décor.  Pictured with it is a brass candlestick (I am trying to collect a little grouping of these) and a wooden stamp that I will use for autumn crafts.

    Below is a floral curtain panel.  I will use the fabric for another project (undecided, but so many options).  I always check the linens at thrift stores because they can be an inexpensive source of fabric.  You just have to think beyond its original use sometimes.  With it is a scarf in a flattering color.  It looks hot pink in the photo, but it is actually more of a deep raspberry color.  It will coordinate with many things in my wardrobe.

    I have also been searching for picture frames, as I would like to display more of our family photos around our home.  I think this is the best art, and with frames abounding in the thrift stores, it is also inexpensive.  I found these:

    The floral one is too girly for my boys, but I think it would look beautiful holding black and white photos of our ancestors.  The other two will, I think, be part of a gallery in the hallway.  I like to wonder about who donated these and who the children are in the photos.  I'm not sure if you can see, but in the photo on the left, I think the little boy looks like he just got in trouble and the girl looks like she is the reason for it!

    My last purchase was this teacup:

    I seem to have developed a good eye for English china.  It's my favorite!  When I looked at the bottom of this teacup and saw the "Made in England" stamp, I said, "I knew it!"  Being the anglophile that I am, if you ever want to sell me something, just stamp the bottom with "Made in England" and you can have my money (as long as it's in the budget 😉).

    A few other ways I saved this month were:

    I shopped sales and used coupons and rebates for my groceries. 

    I gathered eggs from my chickens.

    I bought some Valentine's Day candy at half off after the holiday.  I love chocolate truffles, so these will be savored.

    I used points I earned to buy a book from Amazon (a gift for someone).

    I found some Epsom salt bath sets on clearance.  I bought one to give to my sister-in-law and the rest will go into the "toiletries" portion of my pantry.

    My sister-in-law gave me a basket she didn't want.  I use baskets for so many things. 

    Colton brought home bags of leaves from work, which he ran through the shredder for our compost pile.

    He also gave James his first haircut!  No more Boris Johnson hair.  I clipped his little curl that he had at the nape of his neck and saved it for his baby box. ❤

    I opened the windows on fair weather days to save on electricity.

{A Few Thoughts}

    I have been blessed this month by a commitment that a friend and I made to one another.  We live hours apart so we don't get to visit as often as we'd like, but we are such kindred spirits and our fellowship is so sweet when we do get together.  Our husbands are great friends, also.  Our personalities and dispositions are so similar; our lives seem parallel in many ways.  We are both homemakers, we have been married the same amount of time, and when I found out I was pregnant with John (my eldest), God also blessed them with their first child through the miracle of adoption.  So we are able to relate to one another very well.  Our commitment is to text each other daily, circumstances and time permitting.  We share our thoughts and struggles, our triumphs and failures, our humor, and our prayer requests.  We have both remarked on how much this has helped us in our daily walk, making us more mindful of our words and actions as we encourage one another and hold each other accountable.  If you are blessed with such a friend, I would encourage you to not let distance prevent you from fellowship.  God gives us special friends, sisters in Christ, for a reason!  Reach out regularly, even if it is only via technology.

    We read a verse in church one Sunday as part of a larger passage, and it jumped off of the page at me.  I think it is so beautiful:

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

~ Psalm 139: 17-18

    A thought came to me as I was doing my ironing (these still, quiet tasks are good for prayer and pondering).  I wrote it down on one of my list papers:

It is because of Christ's love for us that he saves us from our sin, and it is because of our love for him that we flee from it and cling to him.

~

    March is just around the corner, and I'm very excited for it.  Colton has vacation time and we have some projects and trips lined up.  With him working two jobs, we have not had much time for things like that, so we have been counting down with anticipation!  I hope to share more soon.  

How was your February?  I would love to hear from you! 

If I Could Excel at One Thing

    The other evening, after the boys were tucked into bed and I was alone with my thoughts, I pondered the talents of various people who are extremely gifted in their particular fields.  Each of these people seemed to excel at what they did, and I admired how they used their gifts in a way that brought glory to God.  As I was marveling at their abilities, I turned my thoughts towards myself and considered my own talents. 

    While I have many interests, I couldn't help but feel like my own efforts in each of them fell short.  Before I knew it, I had fallen into the comparison trap and envy started to build up within me.  What great thing could I do?  Was I just a Jack-of-all-trades, master of none?  Mediocre?  Average?  

    The Enemy whispered, "Why even bother?"

    I prayed, "Lord, what can I excel at?" as if I had some hidden gift or talent that I just hadn't discovered yet.  Was there simply something within me that just needed to be unlocked?

    My eyes swelled with tears at his humbling response:

    "No one can love your husband and children like you."

    And suddenly that was enough.  If I could excel at one thing, that would be it.  

    The devil hates that.  He hates godly homes and families serving God together, wives and mothers creating a Christian atmosphere in which the souls of their loved ones are nurtured in the ways of the Lord.  He will try all sorts of things, present all sorts of distractions, and tell us all sorts of lies to try to keep us from looking well to the ways of our households because he knows our influence is so important.  I think we sometimes forget.

    Ladies, will you endeavor with me to excel at loving our husbands and children like no one else?  What a powerful difference it would make in our lives and in the world, all for the glory of God. 

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."

~ Proverbs 31:28-29

House Beautiful

Banana bread baked during the week, partly devoured by my family 

    It was a rough week trying to find my footing with my new dietary changes.  I spent most of it in the kitchen, and one of the things I learned is that the success of this is going to come down to planning.  My sanity and energy levels depend on it.  By the end of the week, I felt completely overwhelmed, and the rest of the housework had been all but neglected.

    Being the compassionate husband that he is and seeing my weariness, Colton offered to take the boys out for a day of fun on Saturday so that I could gather my strength and recharge from the emotional toll that the stresses of the week had taken on me.  Being the introvert that I am, I very gratefully accepted.

    So what did I do with my time?  Well, I cleaned, decluttered, and organized, of course!  It may sound strange, but doing that really helps me when I'm overwhelmed.  Bringing order to chaos, simplifying, and setting things right- this is what calms my mind.

    I set the tone with an up beat bluegrass gospel CD (does anyone else play CDs anymore?) and opened the curtains, bringing in the natural light.  I put some laundry in the wash and some sweet potatoes in the oven for meal prep, and I happily set to work.

    I tackled some of the things that haven't been working for us.  James, who just turned two last month, has learned how to open the child locks on cabinets and drawers, open his baby gates, and climb out of his crib.  He's a little Houdini, that kid!  (He can also count to 8. Time to call Mensa.)  So I moved things around where he can't get to them, and as you know, that has sort of a domino effect.

    I sorted through John's art supplies, purging some and getting the rest all organized onto shelves and into folders and bins.  He is really into art and creating things and, as it usually happens with creative spaces, things had gotten pretty messy.  He likes to keep all of his paper scraps in case he needs them for a project.  I wonder who he gets that from...

    I got out all of the toys and dust bunnies that had found their way under the china cabinet and tv armoire;  I vacuumed under the furniture cushions; I even got our family photos for this year put into my collected thrift store frames and set them on the mantle.

Thrifted frames ready to be cleaned

    Even though I enjoyed the bit of peace and quiet that being alone afforded me, as I cleaned and puttered, I felt so blessed to have a family to take care of.  All of the things I had tidied were tokens of those who lived there, signs of the life we enjoy together in our home.  Work though it is, I relish making my home a haven for my loved ones.  By the time Colton messaged me to tell me they were coming home, I was recharged and ready to welcome them.

    "Mom, you made the house look so beautiful!" John said, delighted.  

    But I know that what actually makes the house so beautiful...are the people in it.

~

I have a fun post planned for Thursday, so check back!

Finding the Good

    What do eggs, avocados, spinach, mushrooms, and cauliflower have in common? What about peanuts, cashews, almonds, cinnamon, and black pepper?  Turkey and chicken?  These are all the nutrient-dense, incredibly healthy foods that I have been relying on to help me manage my PCOS.  Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and bananas in moderation became my occasional sweet treats.  

    Want to know what else all of these foods have in common?

     I'm allergic to every. single. one.

    Oh, yes.  The plot thickens.

    Despite feeling much better after changing to healthier eating habits, I was continuing to suffer what I had thought were panic attacks.  Sometimes, out of nowhere, I'd feel like passing out and then my heart would start racing dangerously fast.  It wasn't until I realized those episodes only happened after I had eaten that I suspected it might be a food allergy, but I couldn't seem to pinpoint which food was causing it, as each meal was different.  And I had eaten those foods all my life without a problem.  Maybe it was all in my mind?

    So last week I made an appointment with an allergist, and sure enough, those "panic attacks" were actually an allergic reaction.  The one that sent me to the ER last year was actually anaphylaxis!  By God's mercy, it didn't kill me.  That would explain why breakfasts like the one pictured above, followed by a cup or two of cinnamon tea, were giving me issues.

    This news was both a big relief and a huge blow.  On the one hand, I now know which foods to avoid, thus avoiding any more dangerous episodes.  On the other hand, it means that a lot of foods that had become staples in my diet (and that I had really come to enjoy) have to be eliminated completely.  This is in addition to the sugar and carbs that I have already cut due to PCOS.  So, my diet has suddenly become even more restricted. 

    Dealing with this and coming up with things to eat has been very difficult.  Besides knowing I can never safely enjoy some of my favorite foods again, there is also the social aspect of not being able to enjoy those same foods with others, having to prepare separate meals for myself and my family, and not being able to dine out or partake in a lot of foods at others' homes.  There is a lot that I will have to learn to navigate.  

    But this seems to be the way life goes, and I can either despair and collapse in a puddle of tears, or I can choose to find the good in it and get to work.  I've already done the former and it hasn't really worked, so now we try the latter.  

    There really is quite a bit of good when I stop and count my blessings:

1.  Man doesn't live by bread alone, and I am so thankful to be able to feast on the Bread of Life any time, day or night, that I need or desire.

2.  I can eat.  Period.  I have the physical ability to eat, and I have access to food- any food I might need to fit into a new dietary plan.  Many people don't have that luxury, especially these days.  My ancestors didn't even have the luxury that I have, even with my "restricted" diet!

3. I won't have any more dangerous attacks!

4.  I will be healthier and stronger and better able to care for my family.

5.  I can still delight in preparing my family's favorite foods.  Even though I can't partake in eating those foods, I still enjoy the process of cooking it and seeing my family enjoy it.  I'm thankful that physical contact with my allergens doesn't seem to cause a problem.

6.  I have a very supportive husband who is doing everything he can to help me heal and to provide my earthly needs.

7.  I don't have cancer.  When they told me last year that I might have cancer, I was willing to do anything, follow any diet, avoid any foods, do any and every exercise possible that would mean even the slightest chance of healing.  Compared to that, this is very minor.  These dietary changes will provide at least some healing, all without a cancer diagnosis.

8.  I can still eat beef, pork, and fish.  Fish is especially healthy.  

9.  I can still eat chocolate!  It has to be without sugar, but I have found that it isn't necessarily the sugar I crave any more- it's the chocolate.  I have found a bar by Lindt that is 100% cacao (no sugar), and two or three little squares of that after a meal satisfies my craving.

10.  We will get to grow much of what we eat in the garden.  This is a dream we've always had, and here's the push that will get us there. 

11.  We will save money by not eating out!

    Even though I need to make even more changes than I had originally planned this year in regards to my diet, my pantry, and my garden, it isn't all bad.  Yes, I will miss some things, but maybe I will find some new favorites.  Feeling better is going to be a new favorite, at least!

    I don't intend for this to become a health food blog (I highly recommend the cowboy cookies I have posted here!), but I think documenting my progress every once in a while is going to help motivate me.  Those posts will be geared towards pantry stocking, eating frugally, gardening, and cooking for my family- many of the things this blog already focuses on- but with a slight twist.  I hope you'll bear with me.

Baby News!

It's a BOY!!!

    Colton and I are so happy that God is blessing us with another son and that John will have a little brother.  We are still amazed and sometimes we will say to each other, "I can't believe we are having another baby!"  There is nothing quite like bringing a child into the world and having its precious life entrusted to us by God.  There is also nothing quite like hearing a baby's heartbeat in the womb or seeing it move around on an ultrasound screen, not to mention the little kicks I have been feeling!  It is already a life, he is already a person, a living soul.  His name is James Everett and we can't wait to meet him.

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."

 ~Psalm 139:13-16

Hello, Again!

     Hello, is anybody there?  It has been so long since I have posted and so much has changed, not just in the world, but in my little world.  Fear not, all is well, and I apologize if I have caused any concern by my long absence.  The fact is, Colton and I have some very exciting news...

    We are expecting a baby!!!  I am about 15 weeks along and all is going well.  We are so excited!  And honestly, quite surprised.  We prayed for a child for six years before the Lord blessed us with John.  He is our little miracle.  While we had hoped for more children, we really didn't expect any more.  We are so grateful that God has chosen to bless us in this way once again.

"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.  Praise ye the LORD."

~Psalm 113:9

    I am sorry to have kept everyone in the dark all this time.  Truth be told, we shared the news with family and friends the moment we found out, but nausea kept me far away from screens!  Thankfully, that unpleasant symptom is starting to subside and things are getting back to normal.

    I do hope to keep blogging, but I can't make any promises as to how frequently that will be.  I was in a sort of survival mode during the first trimester, but now that I am feeling better, I have a lot of catching up to do around the home!  I am unsure of what this new season will bring, so please be patient with me as I find my footing.  I hope to get you up-to-date very soon on what has been going on around here the last two months!

Calm in the Midst of a Storm

  These are certainly troublesome times.  Grocery store shelves are empty, people are fighting over toilet paper, public events have been cancelled, schools have been shut down, businesses are starting to close, and I have heard of people in our area already starting to lose their jobs.  It really is almost surreal.  On top of all of this craze, Colton is in quarantine at work and has been since Sunday because he came in contact with a patient (Colton is a firefighter/paramedic) who may have Covid-19.  And this is just the beginning.

  Yet, in all of this chaos, I have a certain calmness.  As I continue on with my daily work, I can't help but stop and give thanks to God for the life He has led me and Colton to live.  I know it's not for everyone, but it is certainly for us, and never have I been so thankful for our garden, our chickens, and the old-fashioned skills that we have learned.  I am counting my blessings.

An abundance of eggs from my chickens

   For one, I'm grateful that God put it on our hearts to focus on our outdoor projects first.

"Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house."

~Proverbs 24:27

  Because of this, we have a more sustainable food source and don't have to rely so heavily on the grocery store.

Salad fixin's from last year's garden

   I'm grateful that Colton convinced me that we need a huge garden.  It has always been a dream/goal of mine to grow most of our food, but I also know it takes a lot of work and I doubted that I would realistically be able to diligently care for a huge plot, let alone preserve all of its bounty. Now I am seeing how blessed we are to have such a large space.  I'm also grateful that Colton got the water and gas lines put in before all of this happened, as it has allowed me to plant and carry on with my work with him gone.

Snow peas in our current garden

  I'm grateful that we have one million chickens and that my hoarding problem is coming in handy.  (Ok, I counted the other day and we actually only have 40, not including the chicks.)  That's a lot of eggs each day for ourselves and others who need them, including our pets if it comes to that, not to mention an egg-cellent (sorry, I had to) source of protein.  And I'm so thankful that no one wanted to buy my chickens when I tried selling some of them because I thought we had too many!

Happy, healthy, free range chickens

  I'm grateful that Colton is able to hunt and that he took the opportunity this winter to stock our freezer.  He is such a good husband, father, and provider.   I'm glad I got over my fear of pressure canning venison, and I'm glad that after we tasted the first jar, Colton decided to harvest two more deer the next morning so that I could can the meat and add it to the pantry.  Yes, it was that delicious.

Canned venison

   I'm grateful that we live on the ranch with Colton's family, as trying as it may be sometimes living in such close proximity to one's in-laws.  (Really, I love them and couldn't ask for better in-laws.  I know if I ever needed anything, they would be right here in an instant to help.)  We looked for a house in town when I was pregnant with John and a few times since so that we could have our own place, but each time God closed all the doors.  Now we know of a certainty that this where God has us, and I see more and more why that is.

  I'm grateful that living on one income has made me no stranger to frugality and resourcefulness.  "Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without" is a saying that has served us well.  I know how to pinch pennies, stretch a meal, and find alternatives to things we need and want.  In times of scarcity, that knowledge is worth its weight in gold.

A frugal 'thank-you' basket of homemade bread, jelly, and zinnia seeds saved from my garden

   Yes, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for this life God has blessed us with.  But I will tell you, the peace I have does not lie in these things.  They could all be gone in an instant.  My peace rests in God Himself, and my point is that I can see His sovereign Hand at work in our lives.  That is what gives me an overwhelming sense of safety, security, and calmness in the midst of this storm.  All of the hard times we have experienced, all of the heartache, all of our failed plans- they were for our good.  God has been teaching us, refining us, preparing us.  It has been hard for me to see at times, but it is all coming together. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." ~Romans 8:28

  I know the country life is not for everyone, and that is ok.  It is what God has placed on our hearts, but even if He had chosen a different lifestyle for us, the fact remains that He will always provide for our needs.  The truth is, no one is "self-sufficient".  It is God who sustains us.  This doesn't alleviate our responsibility to exercise wisdom or work hard for what we have, but ultimately, God is in control and He will always, always take care of His children, no matter what is going on in the world.  He is still able to take a few loaves and fishes and feed thousands.  Please, put your trust in Him, not a package of toilet paper (or a multitude of chickens, for that matter).

  "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." 

~Psalm 23